June 1, 2022 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2022-06-01
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:32 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe ISD Safety and Security Committee Meeting
Date: Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
Called to Order: 3:30 PM | Adjourned: 4:35 PM
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Opening Remarks
The meeting opened with an acknowledgment of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. The chair emphasized that this was a regularly scheduled committee meeting, not one convened in response to the Uvalde incident, and noted the longstanding importance of the committee's work in keeping students safe.
Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Item 1: Approval of Minutes from March 29, 2022 Meeting
The March 29 meeting had featured presentations on:
- Mental health initiatives, awareness, and programs from the Guidance and Counseling Department
- Montgomery County Special Threat Response Plan
Motion to approve: Ms. Wagoman
Second: Mr. Moore
Vote: Approved unanimously (no opposition noted)
Item 2: Planning & Construction — Summer Campus Safety and Security Upgrades
Presenter: Danny Phillips, Assistant Director of Planning and Construction (with additional remarks from Mr. Muir/McCord and Dr. Noel)
Bond-Funded Safety & Security Package — Phase 3 of 5
The district is currently in Phase 3 of a safety and security bond package approved by voters as part of the 2019 bond. Key details:
- 8 campuses currently under construction (started January 2022, approximately 40-45% complete):
- Deretchin, Coulson Tough, The Woodlands Ninth Grade, Barnum Woods Elementary, Broadway Elementary, Snyder/Cox Intermediate, and Oak Ridge Ninth Grade
- Work must be completed before students and staff return
- Phases remaining: Phase 4 (2023 — 7 schools), Phase 5 (2024 — 9 schools), which will cover the entire district
- Additional schools are being incorporated into campus renovation packages
Upgrades Being Installed Include:
- Secure vestibules at front entrances
- Impact-resistant film on windows (8mm at front entries)
- Camera and server upgrades — The district is approaching 14,000 camera views with 171 servers. Special recognition given to Doug Holland and Bob King for overseeing this system. An additional staff member has been added.
- Electronic access control for exterior doors (badge-based entry), replacing traditional keys. Also useful for students/staff accessing portable buildings.
- Entry and exit door alarms — Alerts front office when doors are opened unexpectedly; helps with student elopement concerns
- Bi-Directional Antenna (BDA) systems — Function like repeaters to ensure first responders (fire, police, EMS) have reliable radio coverage throughout buildings. Montgomery County fire marshals test coverage quadrants to a high standard.
- Digital handheld radios for campus staff — Acquired through a grant; feature repeater channels for building-wide coverage. Eliminate previous "dead spots." Also used at stadiums and can be taken to other district sites.
- 800 MHz radios for key district staff — Compatible with the Montgomery County system (sheriff's department). The transportation/bus system operates on this same system with coverage reported from Galveston to nearly Dallas.
- Indicator locks on classroom doors — Installed approximately 4 years ago. Teachers can see from their desk whether the door is locked (red) or unlocked (green). Fire marshals have expressed appreciation for this feature.
Acknowledgments
The committee expressed gratitude to:
- The original bond committee, the board, and the community for passing the 2019 bond
- All new school construction includes these same safety/security packages
Committee Questions: None
Item 3: Hurricane Preparedness
Presenters: Mr. McCord, Mr. Barton (Ethan), Captain Blakelock
Overview
- Hurricane season has arrived; NOAA predicts an above-normal hurricane season
- The district operates on a "when, not if" mentality
- Resources include: Prairie Weather app, district weather app (also used for lightning safety), meteorologist support, and community partners (e.g., The Woodlands Township)
Campus Preparation Procedures
- Maintenance Department secures/removes windscreens, ground-level equipment, and outdoor items
- Technology equipment is elevated off ground floors to mitigate flood damage
- Ice, food, and water are pre-staged (referenced coolers being prepared during past events)
- Volunteers are staged for potential shelter operations
- Buses and other district resources are readied for potential evacuations
Police Department Response (Captain Blakelock)
- During hurricane emergencies, the police department activates 12-hour shifts for all officers
- Officers provide security at shelters, escort buses used for evacuations, deliver supplies, and assist with emergency family communications
Shelter Operations
- District partners with Montgomery County EOC (Emergency Operations Center) for resource coordination
- A 2018 Board Resolution/MOU authorizes the district to provide resources (buses, facilities, etc.) to the county during emergencies, based on availability
- Referenced past shelters: College Park (briefly opened), Lone Star, The Woodlands Church
- Pet care and entertainment/activities for shelter occupants were noted as important considerations
Communications
- The 800 MHz radio system provides reliable communication for command staff, transportation, and police — a significant improvement over past hurricanes (referenced cell tower failures during Hurricane Ike)
- Radios are kept in offices and activated/charged when events are approaching
Acknowledgments
- Marshall Schrader and the Maintenance Department recognized for generator, equipment, and logistics preparation
- Dr. Chris Hein recognized for decades of strategic leadership in hurricane planning and shelter coordination
Committee Questions: None
Item 4: Approval of Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan (MEOP) for 2022-2023
Closed Session
At 3:53 PM, the committee entered closed session pursuant to Sections 551.076 and 551.089 of the Texas Open Meetings Act to discuss sensitive security matters related to the MEOP.
The committee returned to open session at 4:33 PM.
Action in Open Session
- Revisions discussed in closed session have been incorporated into the document
- One pending addition: a condensed before-and-after-school plan for coaches, sponsors, and others supervising students outside regular school hours
- The committee will continue to review/approve the MEOP annually, typically at the summer meeting
- Members were invited to contact staff at any time with suggested revisions
Motion to approve: Captain Blakelock
Second: Mr. Moore
Vote: Approved unanimously (no opposition noted)
Next Meeting
- Scheduled for Fall 2022 (exact date to be determined and communicated via email)
- Committee noted it would be best to wait until after the first couple weeks of school; last year's fall meeting was in December
Key Takeaways
1. The district is midway through a 5-phase, bond-funded safety and security upgrade program covering all campuses, with nearly 14,000 cameras and extensive access control, radio, and first responder communication systems.
2. Hurricane preparedness plans are in place with multi-agency coordination, shelter plans, and improved communication systems.
3. The 2022-2023 Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plan was approved with revisions, including a forthcoming before/after-school component.
4. The meeting occurred in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting, underscoring the committee's ongoing commitment to student and staff safety.