October 18, 2022 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2022-10-18
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 14:51 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
October 18, 2022
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the board meeting. They may contain errors or omissions due to transcription quality.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:01 PM by President Hubert. A quorum was confirmed.
- Invocation: Scott Moore
- Pledge of Allegiance: Stacy Chase
Recognitions & Awards (Item 2)
2A — Niche "Best Of" Awards
- Conroe ISD was recognized for the second consecutive year as the Best School District in Montgomery County by Niche.
- Additional recognitions: Most Diverse School District, Best Place to Teach, and Best School District for Athletes in Montgomery County.
- A large group photo was taken with all CISD staff present.
- President Hubert praised board members, teachers, and Dr. Noel's leadership.
2B — Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) District of Distinction
- Conroe ISD received the 2022 District of Distinction designation from TAEA.
- This is the first year CISD has received this honor.
- Only 59 districts out of 1,200+ eligible (top 4%) met the criteria statewide.
- Recognition was based on a 14-point rubric covering the 2021–22 school year.
- Dr. Bob Horton presented; Dr. Lisa Davis led the application work.
- Visual arts teachers were recognized and photographed with the board.
2C — Dyslexia Awareness Month Recognition
- October is Dyslexia Awareness Month.
- Dr. Tamika Taylor presented statistics on the dyslexia program:
- ~4,100 students currently identified (up from ~3,421 three years ago; ~6% of student population)
- ~66 staff members supporting dyslexia services (up from 50 three years ago)
- 7 new dyslexia interventionist positions added this year
- 16 interventionists currently being certified in the Scottish Rite "Take Flight" program
- Dyslexia budget is ~$5 million, nearly doubled from $2.5M in 2017–18
- The dyslexia department has been restructured under Special Education Services
- Special thanks given to Dr. Kendra Wiggins (Director of Special Education) and Dr. Sharon Henry (Coordinator of Dyslexia Services).
- Dyslexia staff were recognized and photographed.
- President Hubert shared that he personally has dyslexia.
2D — Community Citizen of the Year Award
- JJ Hawley, President and CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, presented Dr. Curtis Noel with the Community Citizen of the Year award.
- Dr. Noel noted the district added 4,000+ students compared to the same point last year, contrasting national trends of declining enrollment.
2E — Recognition of Outgoing Trustee Scott Moore
- Mr. Moore was recognized for six years of board service and 13 years of service to the district (including PTO volunteer, Watchdog, facility planning committee chair, and Conroe High School football team chaplain).
- Each board member offered personal remarks thanking Mr. Moore for his dedication, independence, advocacy (especially for dyslexia), and service in Austin with legislators.
- Dr. Noel shared a story about Moore riding in an ambulance with an injured student whose parents were not present.
- Mr. Moore's remarks: He expressed pride in CISD, noted he ran not to fix something broken but to be part of a great district, and quoted fellow trustee Tracy Fisher: "It was never about my kids. It was about your kids."
Public Comment (Item 3)
Eight speakers addressed the board:
1. Marianne Horton — Former CISD language arts teacher. Stated that in 2019, secondary ELA teachers received district-provided classroom library books that were not vetted, including inappropriate titles (e.g., All American Boys). Said classroom library books are not cataloged for parent monitoring. Expressed concern that teachers are being put in a dangerous position by district-provided books.
2. Alex Harris — Suggested CISD create a framework for teaching world religions as required by TEKS, using categories of monotheism, monism, agnosticism, and atheism to simplify instruction.
3. Nicole May — Thanked the district for dyslexia awareness efforts and training of CALT-certified staff. Presented Scott Moore with a special award from Conroe ISD dyslexia families for his advocacy for struggling readers, including trips to Austin during the 87th legislative session.
4. Shannon Valaro — Parent of dyslexic students. Praised Scott Moore as a champion for the dyslexic community. Asked the board to continue growing the dyslexia department. Shared that her daughter graduated high school and is thriving in college due to support received.
5. Diane Daniel — Expressed concerns about a documentary called "Transwreck" that reportedly features CISD teachers discussing administrators telling staff not to inform parents when students struggle with gender identity. Also raised concerns about masks, CRT, SEL, and library books. Urged the board to act on issues brought by parents.
6. Amber Fusca — Parent who won a due process case against CISD regarding special education services. Stated the district has systemic problems with its special education and dyslexia programs across multiple campuses and grade levels. Urged the board to investigate and take action.
7. Mark Fusca — Husband of Amber Fusca. Stated the district violated IDEA law, manipulated data to deny services, and never conducted an internal audit after losing the due process case. Said his daughter is now being denied dyslexia services at the same school with the same principal. Called on the board to "take your power back."
8. Carolyn Nene — Criticized the education system broadly. Raised concerns about SEL, CRT, comprehensive sex education, transgender issues, and library books. Stated three board members would be replaced in the November 8 election.
9. Dr. Bonnie Hubert — Wife of board President Hubert, former 17-year CISD employee with a doctorate in educational leadership. Defended board members' adherence to policies and procedures, including book removal processes. Stated that procedures exist to protect students and that those who berate board members for following policy are "going against the very law and order you demand."
Dr. Noel's clarification following public comment:
- The district does not keep information from parents; retraining was conducted after a previous situation involving confusion.
- CISD was never downgraded from an A to a B rating.
- The district does not promote or require any vaccinations beyond existing requirements.
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Motion to accept the consent agenda as presented.
- Vote: Passed unanimously (by show of hands).
Attendance Zone Update — Veterans Memorial Intermediate / Caney Creek Feeder (Item 5)
Presented by Dr. Matt Heinz:
- District enrollment as of October 13, 2022: 70,879 students (up 3,757 from the prior year; up ~9,100 from 2018).
- Preliminary demographic projections: ~15,000 additional students in the next 5 years; ~30,000 over the next 10 years. Majority of growth will be east of I-45.
- 37 of 65 campuses are over capacity; district is at 101% capacity overall, utilizing portable classrooms equivalent to ~4 campuses.
- New Moorhead Junior High (capacity 1,600) is under construction, freeing the current building to become Veterans Memorial Intermediate School.
- Current Grangeland Intermediate is at ~1,250 students (capacity ~1,050).
- By 2028, projected ~2,200 students in grades 5–6 in the Caney Creek feeder.
- Combined capacity of Grangeland + Veterans Memorial: ~2,100 students (approximately a 5-year solution).
- Attendance boundary committee has been working on scenarios; Scenario 3.13 is the committee's favorite:
- Splits the zone roughly in half between the two intermediates
- ~663 students would be impacted (moved to the new campus)
- Socioeconomic balance between campuses is relatively even
- One more round of public presentations planned; recommendation expected in November (or December if needed).
- Families can request a transfer to finish at their current school, and sibling accommodations will be honored.
Capital Improvements Update (Item 6)
Presented by Mr. McCord (Mr. Foster absent):
- Safety & Security 2022: On track to finish in December; waiting on some electrical components.
- New Moorhead Junior High: Under construction; capacity of 1,600 (up from current 1,050). Current Moorhead enrollment is 1,397.
- Grangeland Road improvements and discussions with Montgomery County and TxDOT regarding traffic in the Grangeland area.
- Conroe High School:
- Gyms and locker rooms expected to open after spring break 2023
- CTE area under construction on the west side
- New student/event parking area with fresh concrete
- Full completion expected 2025 with a capacity of 4,300 students
- New campus layout shown (first time displayed publicly) — includes new cafeteria, Fine Arts area, courtyard, and CTE space.
- Oak Ridge High School:
- New front entrance work continues
- CTE area to open January 2023; additional CTE space open August 2023 with 17 different courses
- Christopher J. Hines Elementary (Grand Oaks area):
- Brick/masonry work underway; expected closed-in/dry by January 2023
- Opening planned for August 2023
- Boundary committee update expected in November
- New Maintenance Facility (off 2854):
- Will house Maintenance, Custodial, and Child Nutrition
- Move-in begins later this month; full occupancy summer 2023
- District vacates the old JET facility by August 23, 2023
- Caney Creek High School:
- Slight delay (2 months) due to steel availability
- New front entrance to open after Thanksgiving break
- All current work to be completed summer 2023
- Collins Elementary:
- New gymnasium addition on schedule; available January 2023
Public Hearing — Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST Report) (Item 7)
Presented by Miss Garza:
- Conroe ISD received an "A" / Superior Achievement rating with a perfect score of 100 out of 100 points — the state's highest rating.
- Based on 2020–21 school year data and fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.
- All 20 performance indicators were passed (some were not scored due to pandemic impacts).
- Key highlights:
- Annual financial report submitted on time with an unmodified (clean) audit opinion
- All debt and governmental agency payments processed on time
- Sufficient cash on hand; revenues exceeded expenditures
- Administrative cost ratio: 3.8% (state threshold: 8.55%)
- Zero variances in PEIMS data comparison
- All required financial information posted on district website
- No public comments were made during the hearing.
Financial Reports (Item 8)
Presented by Miss Garza (as of September 30, 2022):
- General Fund Assets: $668.9 million
- Debt Service Fund: $156.5 million
- Child Nutrition: $14.5 million
- Self-Funded Insurance: $8.1 million
- Total Cash & Investments (General Fund): $213.5 million
- State pools: $120.8M (yielding 2.67%)
- Woodforest/US Bank: $14.9M (3.16%)
- TCG investment ladder: $53.6M (0.97%)
- Combined portfolio yield: 2.49% vs. 90-day T-bill benchmark of 3.1%
- General Fund Revenue (September): $47 million; Expenses: ~$28 million
- 2019 Bond Referendum: $523.9M encumbered/expended; $126.3M remaining
- Self-Funded Insurance (September): Revenue $4.34M; Expenses $4.33M; Net gain ~$17,000
Legal Items (Item 9)
9A — TASB Board of Directors Nomination (Region 6B)
- Miss Wagman was nominated as the candidate for the TASB Board of Directors, Region 6B seat.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
- It was noted that CISD holds a permanent "large district seat" on the TASB board as long as attendance maintains 125% of state ADA.
9B — Board Continuing Education Announcement
- Scott Moore: Completed 57 hours (met requirement) ✅
- Miss Wagman: Exceeded required hours by 5 ✅
- Mr. Sanders, Mr. Williams, Miss Chase, Miss Hubert (President Hubert): Completed required hours ✅
- Mr. Inman: Did not meet state required training hours ❌
Executive Session (Item 10)
- Board entered closed session at 7:50 PM pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, and 551.089.
- Board returned to open session at 9:11 PM.
- No action was taken following executive session.
Adjournment
- Motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:11 PM.
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may not capture all details with complete accuracy. Official minutes will be published by Conroe ISD.