May 17, 2022 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2022-05-17
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:30 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
May 17, 2022
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors or omissions. Please refer to official board minutes for the authoritative record.
Call to Order
- Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM with a quorum present.
- Invocation: Ray Sanders
- Pledge of Allegiance: Dayton Williams
Special Board Recognitions
STAR Program Graduates (Item 2A)
- Presenter: Denise Apollo and district staff
- The STAR program, now in its 13th year, supports first-generation college-bound students across all high school campuses.
- Due to COVID, virtual tours and Zoom speakers replaced most field trips this year; one group visited Lone Star Community College.
- Student Speaker: Carolina Perales (The Woodlands High School senior) shared how the program gave her courage and desire for higher education.
- Individual STAR seniors were recognized from Caney Creek, Grand Oaks, Oak Ridge, College Park, and The Woodlands high schools.
- Counselors from each campus were also recognized.
Best Communities for Music Education Award (Item 2B)
- Presenter: Dr. Bob Horton
- Conroe ISD received the 2022 "Best Communities for Music Education" designation from the NAMM Foundation for the ninth consecutive year.
- CISD is one of only 89 districts in Texas (top 8%) to earn this distinction out of 1,100+ districts.
- Over 166 music teachers serve more than 45,000 students Pre-K through 12th grade.
- Eleven representative music teachers were recognized.
- Board Member Scott Moore spoke personally as a product of CISD's music program, noting the transformative impact of music education.
AIC Constructor Certification Commission National Company Award of Excellence (Item 2C)
- Presenter: Chris McCord, Assistant Superintendent of Operations
- The CISD Planning and Construction Department received the American Institute of Constructors' National Company Award of Excellence for 2021.
- Believed to be the first time in the AIC's 50+ year history that the award went to a public school owner rather than a private company.
- Director EZ Foster serves as national chairman of the AIC Ethics Commission.
- Staff recognized: EZ Foster, Danny Phillips, Ryan Atterbury, Tansy Foster, Lane Johnson, Courtney Rogers, and David Knapp.
- Additional note: Tansy Foster's daughter will be valedictorian of Caney Creek High School.
Citizen Participation (Item 3)
President Hubert reminded speakers and audience members to be respectful of all viewpoints.
Joshua Jarros
- Expressed concern about inappropriate books in schools; asked the board to find solutions to remove them.
- Requested that parents receive homework/test materials to review with children at home, particularly for electronic assignments.
- Raised concern that non-custodial/divorced parents cannot be added to notification email lists for student grade alerts.
Misty Odenweller
- Alleged that administration instructed teachers during in-service training to withhold information about children from parents.
- Claimed educators at Grand Oaks and College Park campuses have made derogatory comments about parents.
- Submitted seven official requests for reconsideration to Dr. Knoll for book removals.
Hayley King (Oak Ridge High School Student)
- Spoke against restricting library books, noting that the book in question at Oak Ridge was choice reading, not required.
- Argued parents have the right to choose for their own children but not to legislate what is available to others.
- Emphasized that students receive permission slips and are never forced to read specific materials.
- Urged the board to let educators make educational decisions.
Courtney Weaver (CISD Parent and Teacher at Mitchell Intermediate)
- Praised the district's education quality.
- Complained that a Saturday orchestra concert (final senior tribute) at The Woodlands High School was moved from the auditorium to the cafeteria because a renter requested early setup access.
- Requested that student organizations always be given priority over outside renters for school facilities.
Melissa Dungan
- Called for immediate removal of contested inappropriate material from school library shelves and classroom assignments.
- Argued the board needs "action" rather than just "hearts" to protect children.
Carolyn Nene
- Alleged children are being exposed to social emotional learning, critical race theory, and comprehensive sexual education starting in kindergarten.
- Claimed sexually explicit books in libraries are "equal to pornographic material."
- Invited attendees to a "Mind Polluters" documentary screening on May 26.
Kelly Cox
- Voiced disapproval of The Perks of Being a Wallflower being assigned in 10th grade English at Oak Ridge High School.
- Read explicit passages from the book aloud to the board.
- Argued the content violates the district's own code of conduct regarding vulgar and sexually explicit language.
Kristen Johnson (Candidate for Texas House District 15, CISD parent)
- Supported maintaining the current library system rather than adopting a more restrictive one.
- Argued libraries should be diverse, containing ideas from around the world.
- Expressed trust in professional educators and librarians.
- Cautioned against banning books and erasing difficult parts of history.
Linda Evans
- Long-time Woodlands resident and former teacher of 20 years.
- Warned against political parties inserting themselves into non-partisan school board business.
- Urged the board to focus on providing deep, wide, cutting-edge education rather than partisan agendas.
Jessica Brasington
- Followed up on a conversation with Dr. Knoll about CRT, asserting that while CRT tenets may not be in the formal curriculum, they exist in supplemental materials.
- Reported a teacher was told by a student that the teacher was racist because of skin color.
- Expressed concern about social emotional learning (SEL) being defined by individual instructors' personal values rather than parents.
Cassandra Crowe
- Submitted a 75-page document to the board.
- Argued for immediate removal of books based on Texas Penal Code 43.24 (harmful/obscene material to minors), not on cultural or religious grounds.
- Identified 35 specific books she claimed are obscene under Texas law and requested they be removed from circulation immediately while under review ("administrative leave").
- Noted that reading such material aloud in a public setting could constitute a criminal offense.
Carl White
- Emphasized the importance of teaching complete history, including contributions of Black Americans.
- Referenced the Buffalo, NY mass shooting, expressing concern about hateful speech.
- Cautioned against discriminatory book banning.
Misha Weaver
- Argued students are more concerned about drugs, vaping, bullying, and mental health than library books.
- Reported witnessing fights at school events with no consequences.
- Called for reinstatement of programs like DARE and student mediation.
- Suggested creating a student board of trustees, similar to surrounding districts.
Jordan Whitcop (Mother of Grant Blodgett)
- Shared that her son Grant, a high school senior, and his girlfriend were found dead from fentanyl poisoning on May 5th.
- Cited statistics: 70% of overdoses involve fentanyl; 107,000 overdose deaths nationally in 2021 with 71,000 from fentanyl.
- Noted that DARE is ineffective and advocated for a specific evidence-based drug prevention program that should be implemented by 6th grade at the latest.
- Stated: "We have failed my son, but I can't stand here and fail all of their kids."
Craig Blodgett (Father of Grant Blodgett)
- Noted the district's aggressive response to COVID (zero student deaths) compared to lack of action on fentanyl (271% increase in overdose deaths).
- Three specific recommendations:
1. Parents should receive automatic notifications for every class period missed (not just full-day absences).
2. Parking lots and school exits should be better monitored.
3. Teachers should be trained to recognize signs of drug use (sleeping in class, pinhole pupils, grade slippage).
- Suggested the district should consider building another school or splitting up oversized campuses (4,500 students), as the large size makes it harder to form relationships and notice warning signs.
President Hubert called a 5-10 minute recess following these testimonies.
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Motion to approve as presented.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (by show of hands, no opposition noted).
Principal Appointments (Item 11, moved up in agenda)
Item 11A: Principal of Conroe High School 9th Grade Campus
- Appointee: Kevin Meyer
- Previously an associate principal at Grand Oaks (recently hired) and before that an assistant principal at Conroe High School main campus.
- Endorsed by Dr. Smith.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Mr. Meyer thanked numerous mentors and introduced his family.
Item 11B: Principal of Oak Ridge High School
- Appointee: Sean Allman
- Previously served as associate principal and then 9th grade campus principal at Oak Ridge.
- Known for his calm, steady leadership style.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Mr. Allman introduced his family and expressed excitement about leading "War Eagle Nation."
Campus and Facility Naming (Item 5)
- Presenter: Ms. Blake
- The board received 371 total name submissions for three facilities:
- Flex 22 (Grand Oaks feeder, opening August 2023): 141 submissions
- Flex 23 (Caney Creek/Conroe area, opening August 2024): 172 submissions
- District facilities (unnamed facilities + new maintenance facility): 58 submissions
- Detailed lists to be posted on the website the following day.
- Board will discuss and take action in June.
Capital Improvements Update (Item 6A)
- Presenter: EZ Foster, Director of Planning and Construction
- Safety & Security Program 2022: On schedule; next installment of campuses being walked through for 2023 approval.
- Gladys Elementary: HVAC system update on schedule for completion before fall.
- Creighton Elementary: Kitchen/serving line expansion to be completed by August.
- Moorhead Junior High: On schedule for August 2023 opening; exterior walls up, athletic fields under construction.
- Conroe High School renovation: On schedule through 2025; new CTE venue, locker rooms, gym, athletic fields progressing.
- Gordon Reed Elementary: Nearly finished; district takes possession next month, opens August.
- Oak Ridge High School renovation/South County CTE: On schedule through summer 2023.
- Conroe High School 9th Grade classroom addition: Essentially done; outdoor dining areas complete.
- Flex 22 (new elementary): Foundations being installed; on schedule for August 2023.
- New Maintenance & Child Nutrition Facility (FM 2854): Clearing done, excavation underway; opens summer 2023.
- Caney Creek High School 6A upgrades: Locker room/athletics work underway; new front door to be ready for August.
- Collins Intermediate PE addition: Work to begin over summer break.
Purchasing Awards (Items 7A & 7B)
Item 7A: RFP 21-104 — Office Supplies
- Recommended vendor: Daniel Office Products
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$900,000
- Three vendors responded: Butler Business Products, Daniel Office Products, Standard Office Products
- One-year term with two automatic one-year renewals (through May 2025)
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 7B: RFP 22-0204 — Custodial Supplies
- Recommended vendors: 11 companies (Smart Restaurant Supply, Buckeye Cleaning Center, Competitive Choice, Crown Paper & Chemical, Genesis 2, Gulf Coast Paper, Matera Paper/Ferguson, Mercy Distribution, MSC Industrial Supply, Pyramid School Products, Western BRW/Highpoint)
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$995,000
- 22 vendors responded
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Financial Reports (Item 8)
- Presenter: Ms. Garza
- General Fund cash & investments: ~$319 million total
- General Fund revenues YTD: $496.9 million; Expenditures YTD: $348.7 million
- 2019 Bond referendum: $401 million encumbered/expended; $249.1 million remaining; working on sale of final $165 million to complete all authorized bonds
- Self-funded insurance: Running at a deficit; April deficit ~$500K; YTD revenue $35.9M vs. expenses $38.6M; pharmacy rebate of ~$800K expected
- Investment portfolio: Par value over $700 million; pool yields rising rapidly (46 basis points end of April, already at 86 basis points)
- Board Member Inman asked about TCG investment laddering (currently 3-year max); staff confirmed the 24-month period appears to offer best value currently.
Legal Items (Item 12)
Item 12A: Withdrawal of Non-Renewal Proposal
- The board withdrew the May 2, 2022 proposal to non-renew the term employment contract of Oricosi Osmelli.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 12B: TASB Board of Directors Nomination
- Scott Moore nominated to the TASB Board of Directors.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 12C: TASB Delegate Assembly Delegate
- Scott Moore selected as delegate to the TASB Delegate Assembly.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Discussion: Library Material Policy Revision (Item 12D)
Presenters: Dr. Knoll and Dr. Hines
Timeline/Background
- TEA released a letter on April 11, 2022 with recommendations regarding library materials.
- TASB released initial draft policies on May 16, 2022.
- The board had an initial conversation at the April meeting.
Actions Already Taken
1. Discontinued use of suppliers that substitute titles without district knowledge.
2. Begun reviewing current instructional materials for compliance with selection criteria.
3. Working with library management software vendor to allow parents to:
- Access their child's checkout history
- Approve their child's library selections
- Designate materials their child cannot check out
4. Hiring a district-level library science specialist to coordinate selection and implementation practices.
Proposed Policy Changes Under Consideration
1. Create a new local policy specifically for library book selection (separate from instructional materials policy).
2. Add selection criteria requiring works be free from harmful material as described by Texas Penal Code 43.24.
3. During formal reconsideration process, works would only be available with parent permission (moved to restricted shelf during review — a change from current policy which does not allow restriction during review).
4. Develop an ongoing review process to ensure collections meet selection criteria, with ability for administrators to remove non-compliant materials without waiting for a formal challenge.
5. Expand staff training on selection of instructional resources.
Significant Board Discussion
- Dayton Williams expressed concern about parents being able to arbitrarily challenge books and trigger the restriction process, potentially emptying libraries. He supported removing clearly inappropriate material but cautioned against giving the general public unilateral power to sideline books.
- Dr. Knoll clarified that the challenge process requires reading the book and filling out a formal complaint form, not just an arbitrary objection.
- Board consensus emerged to narrow the restriction-during-review provision specifically to challenges based on Texas Penal Code 43.24 (obscene/harmful material to minors), rather than all challenges, to prevent a "slippery slope."
- Scott Moore recommended that a board member sit on review committees since it is the board's legislative duty to uphold community standards. He also recommended a campus-level review process for classroom-assigned readings (e.g., team leader, assistant principal, or literacy coach reviewing book lists before they reach students).
- Stacey Inman emphasized that the board cannot delegate its responsibility for what's on the shelves; policy improvements are needed but accountability remains with the seven board members.
- Ray Sanders requested:
- To understand and approve selection criteria
- Board notification whenever a book is challenged
- Understanding of what the "ongoing review process" looks like
- An approval process for teachers bringing in outside materials
- Distinction between instructional materials and library books
- President Hubert noted that parents may not be aware they can already flag their child's account to restrict certain genres.
Outcome/Next Steps
- No vote taken — this was a discussion item.
- Staff will draft policy language incorporating board feedback, specifically:
1. Policy related to Texas Penal Code 43.24 (restricting challenged books during review)
2. Policy/procedure addressing how books get on shelves in the first place (selection process improvements)
- Draft policies to be presented in June, with potential vote in July (policy changes require a two-month process).
- Staff will provide an update on challenged books: origin (library vs. classroom), status, and outcomes.
Student Confidentiality and Title IX Discussion (Item 12E)
Presenters: Dr. Knoll and Dr. Hines
Background
- A training slide at one campus at the beginning of the school year created confusion about whether staff were being instructed to withhold student information from parents.
- In December 2021, President Hubert, Ms. Wagaman, and Dr. Knoll met with Representative Toth to discuss the issue and believed it was resolved.
- The issue resurfaced in recent weeks.
District Position (Stated Clearly for Public Record)
1. Parents are partners in education — the district will keep parents informed of matters involving their children.
2. Parents are the ultimate decision-makers for their children.
3. Students have a right to privacy from other people (other families, staff without educational interest) — but NOT from their own parents.
4. The only exception to parent notification is when Child Protective Services must be contacted.
5. Staff will receive additional training on this topic to ensure clarity.
Board Discussion
- Dr. Hines gave examples of how sensitive information (e.g., student pregnancy) is handled — it is always communicated to parents, though the method may vary (teacher, counselor, or administrator may deliver the message).
- Stacey Inman asked directly: "If Johnny wants to go to school and says call me Sally, is that going to be communicated to the parent?" Dr. Knoll confirmed yes — any significant, ongoing pattern would be communicated to parents.
- Dayton Williams noted he has no issue with the school communicating with parents about his children.
- Dr. Knoll acknowledged that a claim was made that a teacher was told they would be fired for sharing information with parents. He expressed skepticism about the source (same source had previously shared misinformation about a math question from Virginia misattributed to a CISD elementary school) but committed to investigating.
- Ms. Goliath (district complaint receiver, 25+ years) confirmed the district has never received a formal complaint from a parent about information being withheld regarding their child.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn: Approved unanimously.
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|------|------------|--------|
| 4 | Consent Agenda | Approved unanimously |
| 7A | Office Supplies RFP Award (Daniel Office Products) | Approved unanimously |
| 7B | Custodial Supplies RFP Award (11 vendors) | Approved unanimously |
| 11A | Kevin Meyer — Principal, Conroe HS 9th Grade Campus | Approved unanimously |
| 11B | Sean Allman — Principal, Oak Ridge High School | Approved unanimously |
| 12A | Withdraw non-renewal of Oricosi Osmelli | Approved unanimously |
| 12B | Nominate Scott Moore to TASB Board of Directors | Approved unanimously |
| 12C | Select Scott Moore as TASB Delegate Assembly delegate | Approved unanimously |
| 12D | Library Material Policy Revision | Discussion only — no vote |
| 12E | Student Confidentiality and Title IX | Discussion only — no vote |
Items Deferred/Ongoing
- Library material policy revision: Draft policies to return in June for first reading; potential vote in July.
- Campus/facility naming: Board to discuss and take action in June.
- Fentanyl/drug prevention: Raised during public comment; no formal agenda item or board action taken, but significant testimony from the Blodgett family.