June 21, 2022 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2022-06-21
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:37 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting — June 21, 2022
⚠️ Disclaimer: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They may contain errors or omissions. For official minutes, please consult the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees.
Meeting Called to Order
- Time: 6:00 PM
- A quorum of members was present.
- Invocation: Ray Sanders
- Pledge of Allegiance & Texas Pledge: Led by Mr. Inman
- Colors presented by: The Woodlands College Park High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard (instructed by Lt. Col. Nicole Maui and Sgt. Maj. Christopher Colmes)
Recognitions (Item 2A–2D)
2A — College Park JROTC National Championship
- Presenter: Dr. Mark Merl, Principal, College Park High School; Lt. Col. Nicole Maui
- The College Park JROTC was recognized as the 2022 Master Level Armed Overall National High School Drill Team Champions at the All-Service Nationals in Daytona, Florida.
- This was the program's second national championship (first was 2017).
- The team was approximately 50% freshmen and competed at the highest (Master's) division for the first time.
- Results: 1st place in Armed Regulation, 2nd place in Color Guard, 5th place in Inspection, 6th place in Exhibition, and Overall Champions.
- The team intentionally did not compete in any events during the school year to keep their routines secret.
- Cadets recognized included: Cadet Captain Jacqueline Miller, First Lieutenant Ma, Second Lieutenant De, Cadets Watson, Ricard, Best, and Muchio.
- Board President Hubert praised the cadets for their discipline and representation of CISD. (Note: Routines are available on YouTube.)
2B — Ambassador Awards: Child Nutrition Department
- Presenters: Chris McCord, Assistant Superintendent for Operations; Robin Hughes, Director of Child Nutrition
- Honorees:
- Ray Hartman — Manager, Sam Houston Elementary (24 years with the district)
- Alen Davis — Manager, Hoover Elementary (9 years); known for singing happy birthday to students
- Shayana Trino — Manager, Grand Oaks High School (8 years); promoted from Clark Intermediate
- Deborah Fiser — Associate, David Elementary (2 years; unable to attend)
2B (continued) — Ambassador Awards: Custodial & Maintenance Department
- Presenter: Marshall Scherer, Director of Custodial & Maintenance
- Honorees:
- Justin McDonald — Lead Life Safety Technician (IPM Safety/Life Safety team)
- Jack Crs — (Departing for Klein ISD after July 1)
- Sergio Donan — Painter, General Maintenance
- Marina Castro — Opener, Oakridge Elementary (12 years)
- Marabel Hernandez — Opener, Caney Creek Intermediate (12 years)
- Roy Gil — Supervisor, General Crafts; also leads portable moves (promoted from within)
- Luchia Chavaria — Day shift custodian, The Woodlands High School (7 years; unable to attend)
- Board member Wagman offered remarks praising custodial staff as essential to school operations.
2D — Life Saving Award
- Presenter: Clinton Dorth, Principal, Kaufman Elementary
- Student Rihanna noticed classmate Avery McMan was choking and alerted the teacher.
- Teacher Amanda Adams performed the Heimlich maneuver and saved Avery's life.
- Both Rihanna and Miss Adams received life-saving certificates from the Board of Trustees.
- Dr. Null emphasized that school safety is a community-wide responsibility.
Citizen Participation (Item 3)
Ten speakers signed up; summaries below:
1. Erica Lawrence (Grand Oaks feeder, parent of 4 CISD students) — Urged the board to use their platform to advocate for gun safety policies including red flag laws, universal background checks, and raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons to 21. Called for well-funded mental health programs for students. Referenced Uvalde.
2. Diane Daniels — Reflected on upcoming November 2022 elections for board members Inman, Sanders, and Hubert. Criticized past board decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccines and masks, CRT/SEAL curriculum, use of ESSER funds, and library books she described as containing pornographic material. Acknowledged positive accomplishments including teacher/student recognition and the pocket Constitution program with the 97 Society.
3. Garrett Costello (parent of 3 CISD students) — Expressed concern about being denied participation on the SHAC (School Health Advisory Committee). Stated he was told the feeder district was "full" despite no bylaws limiting membership. Noted that the 2021-22 SHAC had 28 CISD staff vs. 18 parents/community members (39% vs. the state's intended 60%). Requested the board ensure parents are allowed to participate and asked for transparency about application denials.
4. Kristen Johnson — Highlighted positive CISD statistics: 97.3% graduation rate (7 points above state average), 0.3% dropout rate, teachers averaging over a decade of experience, district ranked in top 5% statewide. Thanked teachers and board members.
5. Cody Bartlett (with sisters Heather McWilliams and Elizabeth Ker) — Nominated their mother Janet K. Bartlett for the naming of the new elementary school serving the Conroe/Caney Creek feeders. Described her 30+ year career in CISD elementary classrooms, her Teacher of the Year recognition, and read testimonials from former students, parents, and colleagues. Family has been nominating her since 2013.
6. Linda Long (grandmother of 2 CISD students) — Expressed concern about content in schools after viewing the documentary "Mind Polluters." Emphasized the importance of protecting children's minds and hearts. Offered board members cards with a scripture verse (John 17:17).
7. Trudy (surname unclear; mother, grandmother, great-grandmother) — Referenced Brown v. Board of Education and growing up under Jim Crow. Emphasized education as key to overcoming oppression. Called on the board to focus on moral excellence, citizenship, love, and appropriate content in textbooks and literature for children.
(Remaining speakers either did not appear or were not called.)
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Item 4D (OnRamps Program) was pulled from the consent agenda at Mr. Sanders' request for separate discussion.
- Vote on remaining consent agenda: Approved unanimously by show of hands.
Item 4D — OnRamps Program (UT Austin Partnership)
- Presenter: Dr. Upshaw
- Partnership with the University of Texas at Austin provides dual credit opportunities at Caney Creek High School for students whose teachers may not have the required master's-level credentials for dual credit instruction.
- Pilot year: 27 students participated; 25 earned credit. Pilot cost was $7,000.
- Renewal cost: $18,000 total (funded through Title II), a reduced rate from UT.
- The program provides the CCMR (College, Career, Military Readiness) accountability point for high schools.
- Mr. Sanders praised the program's cost-effectiveness and success rate.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 12 (Moved Up) — Naming of Oakridge High School Ninth Grade Campus Principal
- Recommendation by Dr. Null: Shalanda Burks as the new principal of Oakridge High School Ninth Grade Campus.
- Ms. Burks has served as assistant principal at both high school and intermediate levels in CISD, was a district behavior coach, and originally came to the district as a cheerleading coach.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
- Ms. Burks gave remarks thanking mentors, family, and colleagues, and honoring her late mother Valerie R. Guilford.
Item 5 — Naming of Campuses and Facilities
5A — Discussion of Possible Names
Board members discussed names for upcoming facilities:
- Mr. Sanders proposed: Dr. Christopher J. Hines (Grand Oaks Elementary), Janet K. Bartlett (Caney Creek/Conroe Elementary), and William J. Harness (Police Command Center).
- President Hubert proposed: Laura Wilkinson (Natatorium), and supported all of Sanders' nominations. Also mentioned Nelda Blair for future consideration.
- Mrs. Wagman proposed: Ward Richard Woodruff (26-year teacher, for Caney Creek/Conroe Elementary).
- Mr. Inman proposed: Harriet Tubman.
- Other board members expressed support for Hines, Bartlett, Harness, and Wilkinson.
5B — Grand Oaks Feeder Elementary (Flex 22)
- Opening August 2023, located on Lexington Boulevard, grades K–4.
- Motion by Mr. Foster: Name the school Dr. Christopher J. Hines Elementary School.
- Vote: Approved unanimously. 🎉
5C — Caney Creek/Conroe Feeder Elementary (Flex 23)
- Opening August 2024, located near FM 1484 and Airport Road, grades K–4.
- Motion: Name the school in honor of Janet K. Bartlett (exact name to be confirmed with the family).
- Vote: Approved unanimously (no abstentions). 🎉
5D — District Facilities
Police Command Center:
- Motion by Mr. Sanders: Name the Police Command Center in honor of retired Chief of Police William J. Harness.
- Vote: Approved unanimously. 🎉
Natatorium:
- Motion by President Hubert: Name the natatorium the Laura Wilkinson Natatorium.
- Vote: Approved unanimously. 🎉
The board took a 5-minute recess at approximately 7:31 PM to celebrate with honorees and their families.
Note: Dr. Null reported that he called Chief Harness during the recess to share the news, and the chief was very touched.
Item 6A — Teaching and Learning: Drone Program (CTE Innovative Course)
- Presenter: Dr. Upshaw
- Request to approve a TEA-approved CTE Innovative Course aligned with the Conroe/Lone Star College Conroe Center drone program.
- Career pathway: Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.
- 18 students from Conroe HS, Grand Oaks HS, Oakridge HS, The Woodlands HS, and Caney Creek/College Park HS have been interviewed and are awaiting approval.
- Program structure: 8:00–11:30 AM; CISD provides math, English, and government teachers; Lone Star provides drone-certified instructors.
- Students will earn industry-based certification upon completion.
- This is a TEA-approved Innovative Course, not a pilot program.
- Equipment/supply logistics (who pays for drones, etc.) still being determined through partnership with Lone Star College.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (with one abstention noted).
Item 7 — Planning and Construction
7A — Access Easement to DML Conroe Plaza LP (near Irons Junior High)
- Presenter: Mr. Foster
- Private developer (anchored by Chick-fil-A) requesting access to the district's westernmost driveway on SH 242.
- Compensation to district: $3/sq ft × 12,484 sq ft = $37,452.
- Board members raised concerns about potential traffic conflicts with bus operations. Mr. Foster confirmed the bus side and parent drop-off side are separate, and the easement document includes provisions to address operational impacts.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
7B — Sewer Line Relocation Payment to TxDOT (near Morehead Junior High)
- Presenter: Mr. Foster
- TxDOT encountered a CISD sanitary sewer line (installed ~1995) in the right-of-way during FM 2090 bridge expansion; the line was never properly recorded.
- TxDOT performed the relocation; CISD reimburses $61,200.76.
- The line has now been properly recorded to prevent future issues.
- No recourse against the original contractor due to statute of limitations.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
7C — Capital Improvement Updates (Information Only)
Mr. Foster provided updates on multiple projects:
| Project | Status |
|---------|--------|
| Safety & Security 2022 (door access, secure vestibules, impact-resistant film) | On schedule; work ongoing through end of calendar year. All campuses already have secure vestibules; upgrades adding impact-resistant film to older ones. |
| Galatas Elementary (building systems replacement) | On schedule; ceiling/ductwork being replaced over summer. |
| Kreinhop Elementary (kitchen expansion) | On schedule; walls demolished, new slab poured, equipment arriving. |
| New Morehead Junior High | On schedule for August 2023 opening; building envelope largely dried in. |
| Conroe High School (major overhaul) | Portland cement shortage is a concern; contractor working with multiple suppliers to complete parking lot. Overall project on schedule through 2025. |
| Gordon Reed Elementary (Flex 21) | Substantially complete; opening August 2022. Furniture delivering. Board member raised concern about hard-to-read road sign; staff committed to exploring options. |
| Caney Creek High School (6A upgrades) | Front entrance demolition underway; secure temporary entry being maintained. Overall on schedule through summer 2023. |
| CISD High School CTE Complex (South County) | On schedule; new admin/front door and central plant visible. Road project in final municipal approvals. Completion summer 2023. |
| Conroe HS Ninth Grade Craft Room | Substantially complete; ready for August. |
| Dr. Christopher J. Hines Elementary (Flex 22) | On schedule for August 2023; steel going vertical; concrete allocation challenges being managed. |
| Maintenance/Custodial/Child Nutrition Facility (FM 2854) | On schedule; foundations underway, steel arriving. Opening summer 2023. |
| Collins Intermediate (gym addition) | Underway; gym expected to turn over spring semester; life cycle improvements through summer 2023. |
Item 8 — Purchasing
8A — Towing Services (RFP 22-04-D03)
- Presenter: Rick Reed
- Vendors: Speedy's Auto Service, Milstead Automotive, Miller Towing and Recovery
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$75,000
- One-year term with two annual renewals through June 30, 2025.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
8B — Trash Collection and Recycling (RFP 22-03-01)
- Presenter: Rick Reed
- Vendor: Waste Connections of Texas (selected via reverse auction through eBridge platform at no cost to the district)
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$900,000
- Contract: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2025, with option for two one-year renewals.
- ~70% increase over previous contract year-over-year.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
8C — Ratification: Emergency Morehead Water Well Replacement (Job Order Contracting)
- Presenter: Chris McCord, Assistant Superintendent for Operations
- The primary water well serving the Caney Creek area campuses (Milam Elementary, Grangerland Intermediate, Morehead Junior High, Caney Creek High School, East County Transportation) failed in May.
- Serves approximately 5,000 students and 500 staff daily; no municipal water service in the area.
- Backup well is 27 years old with significantly degraded capacity.
- Additional emergency: During Caney Creek HS front entrance upgrades, a broken irrigation line and nicked electrical wire further diminished backup well output. All area facilities placed on 24-hour fire watch by fire marshal order. Summer school (~700 students) relocated from Milam to Hope Elementary (which has city water).
- Emergency procurement used the district's existing Job Order Contracting (JOC) program with Joris General Contractors (already on site building new Morehead Junior High).
- Total cost: $485,000 (materials + labor) from the general fund.
- New well will have 8-inch diameter (vs. 6-inch) to allow future sleeve replacement without starting from scratch.
- Well life expectancy: 30–35 years.
- Completion targeted before start of 2022-23 school year.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 9A — Financial Reports
- Presenter: Miss Garza
- General Fund Cash & Investments (as of May 31): $292.5 million total
- Bank deposits: $3.3M
- State pools: $166K
- Woodforest National Bank: $39.4M
- US Bank (short-term): $29.8M
- TCG (long-term): $53.4M
- General Fund: Total revenue $414.4M; Total expenditures $374.5M
- 2019 Bond Referendum: $410.5M encumbered/expended to date; remaining $165M bond sale closing in early July; estimated to complete: $239M
- Self-Funded Insurance: May deficit of ~$780K; YTD deficit of $2.79M (revenue $40.4M vs. expenditures $43.2M). Summer months historically have highest claims. Pharmacy rebates and stop-loss expected to help offset.
- Wellness Center participation: Averaging 350 visits
- Investment portfolio: Combined yield 82 basis points; 90-day T-bill over 1% for first time since pre-pandemic
- Federal program revenues of $8.5M relate to the SHARS (School Health and Related Services) program through special education.
Executive Session (Item 10)
- Board entered closed session at 8:15 PM pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, 551.076, and 551.082.
- Board returned to open session at 9:15 PM.
Item 13A — Board Policies: Instructional Resources (EF → EFA & EFB)
- Presenters: Dr. Null, Miss Gadus
- Based on prior month's discussion, the single policy EF is being split into two separate policies:
- EFA — Instructional Materials (classroom materials, supplemental materials, videos, etc.)
- EFB — Library Materials (selection criteria based on Texas Library Commission/TSLAC standards)
- Both policies include identical formal/informal review (challenge) processes and address inappropriate materials.
- EFB includes provisions for parent involvement in children's book selection.
- Library Management System Update: The district's vendor has confirmed the software can provide:
- Real-time parent access to what books their children check out
- Ability to restrict certain books or genres (e.g., "mature" labels)
- Parent opt-out capabilities for specific categories
- Status: Presented as information item this month; adoption vote expected next month (July) to be in place before the start of the school year.
Item 13B — Policy Manual Update 119 & Revisions to Board Policy DFB/DFBB
- Presenter: Miss Gadus
- DFBB (Non-Renewal of Term Contracts) — Three changes to the 34 listed grounds for non-renewal:
- #7: Clarified to include "pattern of absences or tardies" (not just excessive absences)
- #17: Added failure to complete a growth plan as grounds
- #27: Clarified that providing inaccurate information or false documentation during the employment process is grounds for non-renewal
- DMA Local (Staff Development) — New policy required by recent legislation:
- State Board of Educator Certification created a professional development clearinghouse (effective June 1, 2022) with ~7 required trainings (active shooters, suicide prevention, etc.)
- Board must adopt a professional development plan by August 1, 2022
- Will be presented for adoption at the July meeting along with the ESC clearinghouse plan
- Status: Information only; adoption vote expected next month.
Item 13C — Superintendent's Contract Revision & Annual Evaluation
Motion approved the following amendments to the Superintendent's contract:
- Extension of an additional year through June 1, 2027
- 3% raise to base salary
- 5 additional vacation days per year
- $800 increase in monthly expense allowance (to $2,300/month)
- $27,000 yearly supplemental retirement contribution with investing schedule as set forth in the contract
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and carried.
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|------|-------------|--------|
| 4 (less 4D) | Consent Agenda | Approved unanimously |
| 4D | OnRamps Program (UT Austin) | Approved unanimously |
| 12 | Naming Shalanda Burks as Oakridge HS 9th Grade Principal | Approved unanimously |
| 5B | Name Grand Oaks Elementary → Dr. Christopher J. Hines Elementary | Approved unanimously |
| 5C | Name Caney Creek/Conroe Elementary → Janet K. Bartlett Elementary | Approved unanimously |
| 5D | Name Police Command Center → William J. Harness | Approved unanimously |
| 5D | Name Natatorium → Laura Wilkinson Natatorium | Approved unanimously |
| 6A | CTE Drone Course (Lone Star College partnership) | Approved (one abstention noted) |
| 7A | Access Easement to DML Conroe Plaza LP | Approved unanimously |
| 7B | TxDOT Sewer Line Relocation Payment ($61,200.76) | Approved unanimously |
| 8A | Towing Services RFP | Approved unanimously |
| 8B | Trash Collection & Recycling (Waste Connections, ~$900K/yr) | Approved unanimously |
| 8C | Emergency Water Well Replacement ($485,000) | Approved unanimously |
| 13C | Superintendent's Contract Amendments | Approved unanimously |
Notable Items & Flags
- Emergency water well situation in Caney Creek area is ongoing; facilities on 24-hour fire watch; summer school relocated.
- Trash collection contract saw a ~70% year-over-year increase.
- Portland cement shortages are affecting multiple construction projects, particularly Conroe High School parking lot.
- Policy changes EFA/EFB (instructional and library materials) and DFBB (non-renewal grounds) coming for formal adoption in July.
- Library management system upgrades will give parents real-time access to children's checkouts and restriction capabilities — expected to be operational for the new school year.
- Four facilities named in one meeting: Dr. Christopher J. Hines Elementary, Janet K. Bartlett Elementary, William J. Harness Police Command Center, and Laura Wilkinson Natatorium.