March 21, 2023 — Regular Meeting

Name: March 21, 2023 — Regular Meeting
Start: 2023-03-21

Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting

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Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2023-03-21

Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes

Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.

Generated 2026-03-28 15:23 UTC

Unofficial Meeting Notes

Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting

March 21, 2023

Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred during the meeting.

Opening

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Hubert, with a quorum present.
Invocation led by Trustee Dayton Williams; Pledge of Allegiance led by Trustee Teresa Wegman.

Special District Recognitions

Wrestling State Champions

Anna Vote (College Park HS) — Sophomore, 6A state champion wrestler. Record of 40-1, with 37 wins by pin. Also placed 4th nationally (All-American). Head Coach Eric Spute noted the program has had 10 individual state champions in the last 5 years, with the team finishing 3rd at state this year.
Riley Rion (The Woodlands HS) — Sophomore, 107-pound state champion. Record of 49-1. Two-time district and regional champion. Career record of 98-5. First state champion from The Woodlands since a previous family's achievements. Head Coach Jeff Rayon (first-year coach at TWHS) introduced his daughter.
Board member remarks noted both wrestlers are positioned to potentially become three-time state champions.

Diving State Champion

Chloe (College Park HS) — Senior, state champion in diving. Won districts, regionals, and state. Will attend Northwestern University. Coach Rachel Baines (10 years at CP) and district diving coach "Coach Whit" were recognized.

Swimming — The Woodlands High School

Head Coach Jeremy Wade presented multiple state-level achievements:

Boys 200 Medley Relay — State champions and new state record (first team to break 1:30 in UIL history). Members: Ryan Rottenbach, Tyler Tannenberger (swam with a broken hand), Roberto Villanueva Flores (swam through a season-long ankle injury, surgery pending), and CJ Sorensen. Won by seven one-hundredths of a second.
Girls 200 Freestyle Relay — State champions. Members: Sophia Kristoff, Chloe Corbin, Mary Nordman, Zoe Nordman. Won by a full second.
Girls Team State Championship — 11th state title for The Woodlands HS girls program, scoring a record 300 points. Multiple individual podium finishes, Academic All-State and All-American honors noted for numerous swimmers. Team GPA of 3.758.
Coach Wade recognized parent support groups, assistant coaches, athletic director Chris Ferris, principal Dr. Landry, and Natatorium staff.

Sorensen Family Recognition

Board President Hubert recognized Craig and Melanie Sorensen, who have attended the state championship meet for 16 consecutive years with six children competing. The family's swimming legacy traces back to patriarch Alton Sorensen, who was diagnosed with polio and told he'd never walk again but recovered through swimming.

It was also noted that The Woodlands HS is leading in the UIL Cup standings.

Citizen Participation (47 speakers, 2 minutes each)

Themes and Summary:

Support for CISD and Teachers:

Marlo Saucedo praised CISD teachers, noting her son (TWHS graduate) felt better prepared than peers at the University of Michigan. Said focus on book banning distracts from safety and teacher retention.
Elizabeth Morrison advocated for diversity of thought and books; urged the board to stop being distracted by voucher systems and book controversies.
Sam Cable (retired 45-year teacher at Conroe HS) praised the district's leadership and urged civility, advising the board to address disagreements with "kindness and courtesy."
Anthony Shelton complimented the board and praised Dr. Noel's leadership.
Holly Taylor Moore (parent, former CISD teacher, current substitute) raised concerns about teacher retention, noting many staff are looking at neighboring districts. Urged the board to focus on how to retain and value teachers.
Christina Augustine (Wilkerson Intermediate) shared the passing of volunteer James Nelson ("Mr. Jim"), a 10-year volunteer who had wanted to address the board and ask members to "work together as a team and leave politics at the door."

Concerns About Board Conduct:

Multiple speakers (April Kersey, Amber Fusca, Susan Scruggs, others) criticized the previous month's board meeting as unprofessional, citing eye rolls, condescending comments, and arrogance. Several urged the board to recommit to civil, professional dialogue.
A student speaker (CISD senior, 63 days from graduation) questioned the three new board members' attendance at a pro-voucher event, noting vouchers are "inherently anti-public education" and asked them to advocate against harmful legislation.

Vouchers and Public Education Funding:

Rachel Walker reported attending advocacy day at the Capitol regarding anti-LGBTQ bills. Expressed concern that three board members attended pro-voucher events, saying the movement aims to "dismantle public education."
Emily Hopple urged all board members to advocate for public school funding and against vouchers, noting Texas is nearly last in per-student funding.
One speaker noted that in Wisconsin, 73% of voucher users were already attending private schools.

Library Books and Inappropriate Content:

Numerous speakers (Alexander Harris, John Boucher, Christian Sonier, Carolyn Nene, Jackie Rugeri, Don McMahon, Audrey Warner, Tina Orbaugh, others) called for the removal of books they described as containing explicit sexual content, pornography, and age-inappropriate material from school libraries. Specific titles mentioned included: Tricks, Empire of Storms, What Girls Are Made Of, Red Hood, Remora Blue, Fun Home, Burned, The Pants Project, Too Bright to See, and Melissa (formerly George).
Speakers cited the Board of Education v. Pico Supreme Court case, arguing the board has authority to remove vulgar or educationally unsuitable books.
Several read excerpts from books found in CISD libraries, warning of graphic sexual content.
Jennifer Eckhart read a statement on behalf of Kim Tomlinson, who had removed the book Fun Home from Grand Oaks library. Tomlinson refused to apologize for removing it, saying she would apologize instead for trusting the district to keep inappropriate content out of libraries. She included $20 to pay for the book.

Other Speakers:

Teresa Niemann reminded the board that CISD is a secular district serving families of many faiths (85 languages spoken); urged against rhetoric about "bringing back Christian values" that excludes non-Christian families.
Sebastian Duarte, Oakridge HS student council president, requested a Spanish-speaking administrator at Oakridge, where 37% of students are Spanish speakers.
Troy Schleicher raised concerns about lack of discipline for a second-grader who wrote something inappropriate about his daughter (a teacher).
Karen Baylor expressed deep concern about escalating violence at York Junior High, including a violent assault she viewed on video. She said teachers fear reprisal for speaking up about discipline problems.
Anna Nguyen (former CISD educator) detailed multiple incidents of student violence she personally witnessed, noting consequences were limited to ISS. Called for a working group to create policy addressing violence escalation.
One speaker raised concerns about books promoting gender transitioning available at Knox Junior High.
Nicole May asked the board to table votes related to phonics, literacy, and dyslexia policy until the 88th Texas Legislature completes its session.
Brian Daniel (English teacher, Grand Oaks HS) urged the board to embrace AI chat bots (ChatGPT) in education rather than ban them, comparing the technology to calculators and the internet.
David Paulus spoke against explicit content in libraries and acknowledged his own complacency in not engaging sooner.
Deborah Ferris shared a personal story about a great-niece who went through a "fake transgender phase" influenced by school environment, ultimately deciding to "love herself as God made her."

Consent Agenda (Item 4)

Item D was pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion later (moved to Item 12 — Legal).
Motion to approve consent agenda minus Item D: Passed unanimously.

Human Resources (Item 5)

Naming of Principal — Austin Elementary

Dr. Noel recommended Kathleen Moe, who has served as assistant principal at Austin Elementary for over 10 years.
Teacher surveys strongly supported her appointment.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Ms. Moe gave remarks thanking family, mentors, and the Austin Elementary community.

Naming of Principal — Caney Creek High School

Dr. Noel recommended Dr. Terry Benson, currently associate principal at Caney Creek HS, with extensive experience as teacher, AP, associate principal, headmaster, and principal (outside district).
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Dr. Benson gave emotional remarks, recognizing mentors, colleagues, family (including her mother in her 50th year of teaching), and the Caney Creek community.

Campus Mascot and School Colors (Item 6)

Christopher J. Hines Elementary

Students voted (256 votes) for the Huskies as mascot.
School colors: Navy blue and yellow.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Veterans Memorial Intermediate

Mascot: Eagles
School colors: Red and blue
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Portable Classrooms Presentation (Item 6C — Informational)

Mr. McCord presented a comprehensive update on portable classroom needs:

Current Status:

161 single portable buildings and 35 double buildings (70 classrooms) = 231 total portable classrooms district-wide.
Majority located at elementary campuses.

2023-2024 Needs:

70 additional classrooms needed for fall 2023 (61 elementary, 2 intermediate at Stockton, 3 at Stockton, 4 at Grand Oaks HS).
45 classrooms will be recouped from Broadway, Snyder, Veterans Memorial, and Grangerland (relocated/refurbished), reducing new purchases needed.

Key Cost Data:

Double portable building: ~$135,000
Fencing, sidewalks, awnings, ramps: ~$48,000
Elementary furniture: noted as slightly higher than secondary due to small group tables
Technology per classroom: ~$17,000
Moving a portable: ~$40,000
All-in cost per double portable: ~$300,000

Critical Concerns:

Conroe HS 9th Grade Campus is tapped out on electrical power. Running new electrical service (yellow line along bus ramp) will cost ~$500,000 and take approximately one year for materials — cannot be ready until fall 2024.
Suchma Elementary opened August 2022 with 10 portable classrooms; added 6 more mid-year. Limited expansion capacity due to utility easements.
Grand Oaks HS — projected to reach ~5,000 students in the next decade; portables being added on both sides of building.
Bush Elementary — playground structure removed to make room for portables; playground significantly reduced.

Long-Term Projection (through 2027-2028):

436 additional portable classrooms projected — though physically placing that many is not feasible given site constraints.
Relief depends on bond passage: even if a November 2023 bond passes, first elementary wouldn't open until 2025; larger schools not until 2027.

Key Takeaways (from Dr. Noel and Mr. McCord):

Portable purchases come from Maintenance & Operations (M&O) funds, pulling money away from salaries and instructional programs. Bond funds are the more efficient method for capital expenses.
The 2019 bond originally proposed $1.8B in needs, was reduced to $807M, then further to $654M — many planned buildings were cut.
The bond committee is actively ranking school priorities; sites needing portable relief are being given high priority.
Portable impacts extend beyond classrooms: reduced playground space, no additional bathrooms/cafeteria capacity, traffic/parking issues, teacher satisfaction concerns.
Mold monitoring is active; portables are tested and maintained; HVAC runs half-day during summer to prevent humidity buildup.
Oldest portable dates to 1966.

Intruder Protection Audit Update (Item 6D — Informational)

32 campuses audited to date; 29 had no findings (>90% success rate).
Since February 21: 8 campuses audited, 7 with no findings, 1 with a finding in one area (training to be addressed April 19).
10 campuses expected to be audited in March.
75% of Texas schools expected to be audited by May.

Finance and Procurement

Item 7A: Kitchen Renovation Project

Approved job order contracting as procurement method and awarded contract to GTT General Contractors for $675,181 for 2023 summer kitchen renovations.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Item 7B: Capital Improvement Updates (Informational)

Ms. Foster provided updates on multiple projects, all reported on schedule:

Safety & Security Project (23-24): Two-year district-wide effort; work on access control, cameras, servers, window film proceeding on schedule through end of 2024.
New Moorhead Junior High: Opens August 2023; site cleanup and interior finishes underway.
East County Transportation: Site utilities and building pad underway; completion end of 2023.
North Transportation: Site work, temporary relocation of admin staff, expanded shop conversion underway; completion end of 2023.
Conroe High School Renovations: New athletics locker rooms/gyms, CTE wings nearing completion. CTE equipment being received. Summer 2023: removing Freshman Annex, Rotunda, and agriculture building for expanded parking and Phase 2 (Fine Arts, cafeteria). Note: New gym not usable this semester due to delayed Entergy transformer parts; will be ready for summer. Overall project through calendar year 2025.
Oak Ridge High School / South County CTE Center: CTE addition finishing; mechanical systems overhaul continuing; opens August 2023.
Hines Elementary: Building structure essentially complete; brick masonry nearing front door; opens August 2023.
New Maintenance & Child Nutrition Facility: On schedule; substantial completion end of May/early June.
Caney Creek High School: New weight room and expanded locker rooms on schedule for August 2023.
Collins Intermediate: Gym opened January; summer HVAC renovations planned May–August.
Giesinger Elementary: Major HVAC renovation; equipment being ordered for summer installation.
Veterans Memorial Intermediate: Rebranding to Eagles underway; queuing line expansion on FM 1485 started; ready for August.
Bartlett Elementary: Approved last meeting; contractors mobilized, mass earthwork begun; opens August 2024.

Item 8A: Pharmacy Benefit Management Services

Awarded to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas.
Three-year contract (Sept 1, 2023 – Aug 31, 2026) with option for two one-year renewals.
Projected savings: ~$2.07 million annually (~$6.2 million over three years) through pharmacy rebate program.
Eight responses received; five-member subcommittee evaluated; Employee Benefits Committee voted 29-1 to recommend BCBS.
Board confirmed savings are to the district through rebates, not an additional burden on employees.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Item 8B: Ballistic Shields for CISD Police Department

Awarded to Body Armor Outlet for $200,000.
Level 3 ballistic shields (upgrade from current lower-level shields).
Fully funded by State of Texas Bullet Resistance Shield Grant Program — no local funds.
Shields will be distributed throughout the district with patrol officers.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Item 8C: Portable Buildings Purchase

Awarded to Palomar Modular Buildings LLC for $1,358,200.
Four responses received.
Funds from general fund.
Board noted that a previous $3 million budget amendment covers this purchase plus furniture, technology, and outfitting costs.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Financial Report (Item 9)

Karen Garland presented the February financial statements:

General Fund: Total revenue YTD $518 million; expenditures $255 million.
Property tax collections: ~95% for the year (on track).
2019 Bond: Estimated to complete at ~$93.6 million.
Self-Funded Insurance: February surplus of $674,000; YTD surplus of $1.8 million. Plan running well compared to prior year. Pharmacy rebates running ~$300,000/month (expected to increase next year with new BCBS contract).
Investments: Portfolio value $816.9 million; combined yield 4.54% vs. benchmark 90-day T-bill at 4.64%.

Executive Session

Board entered closed session at 9:25 PM pursuant to sections 551.071–551.076 and 551.089 of the Texas Open Meetings Act.
Returned to open session at 9:40 PM.

Action on Executive Session Items

Approved terms of mediated settlement agreements in cases 22-02-02120, 21-12-6461, and 2021-47285. Authorized Dr. Noel to execute final settlement agreements.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

Consent Agenda Item D (Pulled Earlier — Policy Updates)

BBB — Board Member Elections

Withdrawn from agenda (no vote taken).

CKC — Safety Program, Risk Management, Emergency Plan

Vote: Approved unanimously.

DC — Employment Practices (Hiring Authority)

Significant discussion on granting the superintendent hiring authority for April through July to expedite teacher hiring.
Rationale (Dr. Noel): Under current policy, principals recommend candidates for hire but cannot make official offers until the board approves via the consent agenda at the next board meeting. This can create 4-6 week delays, during which candidates accept positions at competing districts (Klein, Katy, etc.). Other districts grant year-round superintendent hiring authority, allowing them to place contracts in front of candidates at job fairs.
The change would apply to positions below the principal level (teachers, coordinators, etc.). Principals, directors, and assistant superintendents would still come before the board.
Board would still receive hiring lists (weekly or bi-weekly) for transparency.
Board members asked clarifying questions about scope and workshop schedules.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

DEC — Compensation and Benefits, Leave and Absence

Vote: Approved unanimously.

FFAC — Wellness and Health Services, Medical Treatment

Vote: Approved unanimously.

FNG — Student Rights and Responsibilities, Student and Parental Complaint/Grievance

Brief discussion about whether this related to a citizen's request to table phonics/dyslexia policy changes pending the 88th Legislature. Clarified that these are legal/code summaries, not new adoptions; policy updates will come after the legislative session concludes.
Vote: Approved unanimously.

FO — Student Discipline

Vote: Approved unanimously.

GKD — Community Relations, Non-School Use of School Facilities

Significant discussion regarding the "Complementary, Reduced, or Waived Fees" section.
Trustee Olden Weller moved to separate this section for individual discussion, concerned that delegating authority to the superintendent to approve unlimited complementary building use could create discrimination risk. She proposed allowing three free functions before requiring board approval.
Dr. Noel explained the policy change was needed because the previous policy (2 free events) had not been followed with fidelity. Some schools (especially in underserved areas) need more free community events but can't afford facility fees. He gave examples of varying PTO fundraising capacities across schools.
After discussion, Trustee Olden Weller withdrew her separate motion.
Vote on GKD as presented: Approved (vote count not clearly stated but passed).

GKDA — Community Relations, Distribution of Non-School Literature

Trustee Olden Weller moved to amend item #8 to add that all violations of political campaign material distribution rules would be reported to the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC).
Discussion ensued about whether the district has legal standing to file TEC complaints and whether the policy currently has enforcement "teeth."
Dr. Noel noted the policy originated from complaints about political campaigning at football games and at Snyder Elementary.
Vote on amendment: Failed 4-3 (motion did not carry).
The board agreed to have legal counsel research whether the district can file TEC complaints and potentially bring it back at a future meeting.
Vote on GKDA as originally presented: Approved (passed, though exact count unclear from transcript).

Future Agenda Items (Item 13)

Trustee requested: Discussion of student discipline issues across the district, citing community concerns about behavior and violence.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn approved. Meeting adjourned (approximately 9:50+ PM).

These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. For official minutes, please refer to the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees' approved meeting minutes.