March 22, 2022 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2022-03-22
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:20 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — March 22, 2022
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the meeting. They may contain errors or omissions. Please consult official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Call to Order
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by President Hubert
- Quorum confirmed present
- Invocation led by David Williams; Pledge of Allegiance led by Scott Moore
Awards & Recognition (Item 2A)
Caney Creek High School — State Wrestling Champion
- Josh Thomas recognized as the 2022 UIL Class 5A Boys 160-pound State Wrestling Champion — the first state champion in Caney Creek wrestling program history
- Introduced by Principal Dr. Jeff Stickler, Athletic Director Kendall Heinemann, and Head Coach Ferguson
- Thomas was a two-time district champion, regional champion, two-time state qualifier, and helped lead the team to two consecutive district team titles
- Coach Ferguson noted Thomas's work ethic, including purchasing his own mat during school shutdowns to continue training ("The Grangerland Regional Training Center")
- Board member quoted wrestler David Taylor III about wrestling being a lifestyle choice
College Park High School — Three State Wrestling Champions
- Introduced by Principal Dr. Mark Murrell and Head Coach Eric Spuke (noted as UIL National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year)
- Assistant coaches Lindsay Spute and Kenneth Mark also recognized
Maddie Welch (Senior, Girls Wrestling):
- State Champion; didn't start wrestling until sophomore year
- Did not qualify for state as a junior; dedicated herself to winning as a senior
- Also became a National Champion at the Women's High School National Championship in Colorado
- Has aspirations to wrestle in college
Jacob Smith (Senior, Boys Wrestling):
- State Champion; on the state podium three years (5th as freshman, 4th as junior, 1st as senior)
- 170 career wins — most in program history
- Will attend Colorado School of Mines on a wrestling scholarship, majoring in computer science
Olivia De Giorgio (Senior, Girls Wrestling):
- Three-time State Champion (sophomore, junior, senior) — fewer than a handful of wrestlers in Texas history have achieved this
- On the state podium all four years (5th as freshman)
- Moved up a weight class mid-season to help the team; defeated the defending state champion at the higher weight
- Finished 2nd at the Women's High School National Championship (lost by one point in finals)
- Will wrestle at Texas Wesleyan University
- The girls team finished 2nd place at state (highest in program history); boys team finished 7th
Oak Ridge High School — UIL State Champion, Traditional Animation
- Christina Lenz (Senior) recognized as the UIL Division II Traditional Animation State Champion
- Introduced by Principal Dr. AJ Levesky and teacher Mr. Yale
- Finished 6th at state the previous year
- Created a three-minute stop-motion film called Metamorphosis using over 4,000 still images
- Mr. Yale noted this was an outside-of-class, no-grade project done over Christmas break
- Christina does not plan to pursue animation in college but excelled through the opportunity CISD provided
- Mr. Yale also previously had a South by Southwest champion in animation
Special Life-Saving Recognition
- Monica Jones, teacher at Oak Ridge Elementary, shared her personal story:
- On February 8, she went to bed ill and did not come to work the next day
- Principal Tammy Eldridge became concerned when Jones didn't respond to texts/calls
- Eldridge contacted Officer Tamisha Wiley (CISD Police) to check on Jones
- Officer Wiley found Jones unresponsive; she and Sergeant Michael Mann called EMS
- Jones was hospitalized with sepsis and bacterial meningitis; doctors told her she likely would not have survived a couple more hours
- Tammy Eldridge, Officer Tamisha Wiley, and Sergeant Michael Mann were recognized and honored for their actions
- Captain Blakelock spoke on behalf of the CISD Police Department
- Dr. Knoll referenced the Fred Rogers quote: "Look for the helpers"
- A brief recess was taken following this emotional recognition
Citizen Participation (Item 3)
Abby Colburn — Senior, The Woodlands High School; co-president of Troop 1053 (theater department) and Texas Thespian State Officer:
- Advocated for theater education awareness, citing statistics (arts generate $6.1B in taxable sales in Texas; theater students twice as likely to graduate HS, 22% more likely to attend college, 15% more likely to get commended on standardized tests, 32% lower risk of depression)
- Presented a proclamation requesting March be designated "Theater at Our Schools Month" to bring awareness and funding to theater departments across CISD
Diane Daniel:
- Raised concerns about past mask mandates and the district's partnership with Kelsey-Seybold on COVID vaccinations
- Asked whether students who received COVID vaccines would be asked about it during physicals, given potential side effects
- Asked about the status of removing "sexual and pornographic books" from CISD libraries
- Praised the district's dyslexia programs and extracurricular activities
Misty Oden-Weller:
- Reiterated concerns from the prior month about teacher retention and unfilled positions
- Noted positions posted since August/September still unfilled (speech pathologists, special education teachers)
- Her grandson waited three months to see a speech pathologist
- Encouraged the board and Dr. Knoll to reach out informally to teachers to understand their needs and what is "wearing them down"
- Emphasized CISD's position as a premier district that should set the bar for attracting teachers
Carolyn Nene:
- Cited statistics about professional athletes suffering cardiac events post-COVID vaccination
- Referenced a Virginia pediatric physician requiring additional cardiac screening for vaccinated athletes before sports clearance
- Requested CISD add an addendum to the annual physical exam form asking if students received the COVID vaccine, and if so, requiring further diagnostic studies to rule out heart damage
Jennifer Gulin:
- Raised concerns about equitable allocation of funds for uniforms
- Conroe High School's mariachi program competed at state without traditional mariachi uniforms — the only school not in proper attire; students wore orchestra dress uniforms
- Drew an analogy to a marching band competing at state in concert attire
- Challenged the board to ensure equitable uniform funding in the budget process so Conroe's mariachi has proper uniforms next year
Robert LaBelle:
- Referenced Representative Toth's previous presentation about banning Critical Race Theory (CRT)
- Stated he heard some board members told Rep. Toth to "mind his own business" (noted he did not see the letters directly)
- Called for the district to push back against CRT, which he said is "infused in the subjects"
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented
- Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor by show of hands, none opposed)
Item 12 (Moved Up) — Named Assistant Superintendent for High Schools
- Item moved up on the agenda with no objections
- Dr. Knoll noted Mr. Colson's retirement and praised his service
- Recommended Dr. Chris Povich as the new Assistant Superintendent for High Schools
- Over 25 years in Conroe ISD
- Served in multiple roles: teacher, assistant principal, associate principal, 9th grade principal, junior high principal, high school principal across multiple feeder zones
- 8th position in the district
- Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor by show of hands, none opposed)
- Dr. Povich thanked the board, Dr. Knoll, and Mr. Colson (his mentor for 13+ years)
- Introduced his family to the board
- Board members also praised Mr. Colson's contributions, including an anecdote about him jumping into the pool with the swim team at state championships
Item 5A — Campus Mascot and School Colors for Gordon Reed Elementary
- Colors: Navy blue, yellow, and gray
- Students voted between Cubs and Gators; vote was nearly tied
- The district solicited feedback from Ms. Annette Gordon Reed herself
- Recommended mascot: Titans
- Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed)
Item 6A — Adoption of Instructional Material for Health and Physical Education
- Dr. Upshaw presented the recommendation from the district instructional materials committee, reviewed through SHAC (Student Health Advisory Committee)
- Only resource meeting the state board list: Goodheart-Willcox
- Public posting had approximately 290 viewers since February 20 for feedback
- Motion to approve
- Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed)
Additional Notes on Teaching & Learning
- Board members participated in Zoom meetings with principals and teachers the previous month; board expressed appreciation
- Board members also conducting Ambassador Award visits to campuses to recognize teachers
Item 7A — Capital Improvements Update
Mr. Foster provided updates on multiple projects. All projects reported as on schedule:
| Project | Status/Notes |
|---|---|
| Safety & Security 2022 | Camera/access control upgrades district-wide; on schedule through end of 2022 |
| Gladys Elementary | HVAC system overhaul; equipment procurement underway, work begins summer |
| Creighton Elementary | Kitchen expansion and utility upgrades; awaiting summer for completion |
| New Moorhead Junior High | Building taking shape; opens August 2023 |
| Conroe High School Renovation | Construction going vertical — CTE building, athletic venues, JV/practice fields; phased turnovers starting mid-next school year through December 2025 |
| New JET Center | Substantial completion achieved this month; receiving furniture |
| Gordon Reed Elementary (Flex School #21) | Interior finishes underway; opens August 2022 |
| Oak Ridge High School | South County CTE facilities; new admin facility framing, new driveways; phase turnovers end of 2022, completion August 2023 |
| Conroe High School 9th Grade Addition | Building in great shape; ready for students returning from summer break |
| Flex School #22 (Grand Oaks HS feeder zone) | Site clearing underway; opens August 2023 |
| New Maintenance & Child Nutrition Facility (FM 2854) | Demolition of existing building; opens summer 2023 |
| Caney Creek HS Upgrades | Demolition underway for athletic facility expansion; completion summer 2023 |
- Bond Referendum Update (2019): $321.3M expended to date; $330.1M remaining; $488.5M of approved $653.5M sold
- Discussion about the former West Tabernacle Baptist Church on the maintenance facility property — the church was able to purchase salvaged materials from the demolition contractor
Item 8A — Award of RFP 21-1015: Self-Funded Health Plan ASO Medical Product Services
- Employee Benefits Committee (representatives from all feeder zones, auxiliary departments, and administration) recommended Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)
- Five vendors submitted proposals: United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, Healthcare Highways
- Two finalists (Aetna and BCBS) made final presentations
- BCBS recommended by unanimous vote of the Employee Benefits Committee
- Estimated annual savings: approximately $8.2 million compared to United Healthcare renewal rates
- ~$7.7M from enhanced network efficiencies
- ~$521K from reduced admin fees
- BCBS put money up front to back savings guarantees
- Contract term: 2 years beginning September 1, 2022, with three additional one-year renewal options
- Current insurer (United Healthcare) was in 3rd year; prior to that, Aetna for 20+ years
- Network disruption assessed as very minimal — main facilities near-identical match; Kelsey population exact match with enhancements
- BCBS/Memorial Hermann contract finalized earlier in March, resolving prior uncertainty
- Plan design and premium recommendations to come at the April work session; adoption vote at April board meeting
- Gallagher consultant Maggie Parker answered questions
- This is Gallagher's first BCBS school district client in the Houston area, though BCBS is the TPA for TRS statewide
Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed)
Item 8B — Approval of ClassLink Inc. for Single Sign-On Suite
- Annual expenditure not to exceed $160,000
- ClassLink Suite replaces current SSO vendor (which was acquired by another company and removed required features including reverse proxy for home access)
- Features include two-factor authentication, analytics, modern UI, file access, user rostering
- Procured through interlocal agreement with Texas Department of Information Resources cooperative
- Funded from the general fund
Vote: Passed unanimously (all in favor, none opposed)
Item 9 — Financial Statements (as of February 28, 2022)
Mrs. Garcia presented:
- General Fund cash & investments: $402.1 million total
- Tax collections over 95% for the year
- General Fund revenue YTD: $478 million; expenses: $239.2 million
- Debt Service: Revenue $108.3M; expenses $81.1M
- Self-Funded Insurance: Running a deficit of ~$1.7M YTD (revenue $26.9M vs. expenses $28.6M), though January and February individually showed revenues exceeding expenditures
- Investment portfolio par value: $800.7 million
- Combined yield: ~21 basis points, trailing slightly behind 90-day T-bill
- Pool yields already rising to 35 basis points as of meeting date (expected to catch up within ~60 days following recent Fed rate increase)
Closed Session
- Board entered closed session at 7:45 PM under Texas Open Meetings Act sections 551.071 (consultation with attorney) and 551.074 (personnel matters)
- Board reconvened in open session at 8:52 PM
- No action reported from closed session
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn; seconded and approved
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:52 PM
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain inaccuracies. For official minutes, please contact the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees office.