June 13, 2023 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2023-06-13
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 15:46 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Meeting
June 13, 2023 — Regular Meeting
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors or omissions.
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 4:32 PM. The chair thanked attendees for coming during the summer.
1. Review and Approval of Minutes (April 25, 2023)
- Minutes from the April 25th meeting had been distributed via email prior to the meeting.
- No corrections were recommended.
- Motion to approve: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved unanimously (show of hands).
2. Community Feedback: Cell Phone Towers Near Schools
Guest Speaker: Carrie Welch, board member of Informed Green Solutions and parent of two Conroe ISD students.
Key Points Presented:
- Expressed safety concerns about 5G cell phone towers in close proximity to CISD schools, specifically noting towers at McCullough Junior High and the Woodlands High School Ninth Grade Campus.
- Cited concerns about electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure to children, noting children's developing brains absorb more radiation than adults.
- Referenced health symptoms reported in other locations (nosebleeds, headaches, fatigue, sleep disruption, eye pain).
- Stated there is no scientific evidence supporting 5G safety claims and that government exposure guidelines haven't been updated in over 20 years.
- Referenced the Children's Health Defense organization's concerns about school districts partnering with telecom companies to place towers on school grounds.
- Recommended cell towers be at least 1,640 feet from school grounds.
- Noted the McCullough tower is leased to Verizon through 2036.
- Called on the SHAC to investigate contracts, educate the public, and petition legislators for protections.
Discussion:
- District staff confirmed the tower at McCullough is leased by Verizon on CISD property.
- A SHAC member asked if other campuses have similar towers; at least two were identified.
- Texas reportedly does not currently have legislation restricting 5G towers near schools.
- No formal action was taken; this was an informational community feedback item.
3. Subcommittee Updates
A. Compliance Subcommittee — Opioids/Substance Use Education
Presenter: Miss Taylor (district staff)
Provided an overview of CISD's substance use education, prevention, intervention, and consequences:
Prevention/Education:
- Red Ribbon Week observed across campuses
- Conroe Cares program covers positive character traits and peer pressure (per TEC 29.906)
- Health curriculum covers substance use topics
- Tony Hoffman (speaker) visited high schools in February and junior highs in May
- Hidden in Plain Sight mock bedroom presentations held in September (north and south county)
- District Attorney and parent speakers presented on opioids and laws at Oak Ridge HS and Grand Oaks
- M-COPE (Montgomery County Opioid Prevention Endeavor) also presented
- A vaping deterrent program for students caught vaping is in progress
Intervention:
- Interventions are individualized based on at-risk behaviors identified at school
- Collaboration with parents/guardians for appropriate support
- Tri-County T-CHAT provides telemental health services to youth with parental consent
Consequences:
- Vaping without THC (treated like tobacco): ~3-day in-school suspension
- Marijuana or controlled substance possession/use: Mandatory DAEP placement; misdemeanor criminal offense
- Felony-level controlled substance: Mandatory expulsion or JJAEP placement
- THC in vape devices at felony level: Students placed on probationary expulsion — 15 days DAEP, return to campus on probation; second offense can result in JJAEP placement
Additional Discussion (Chris Poich, Assistant Superintendent for High Schools):
- Very few repeat offenders go back to DAEP
- JJAEP has capacity issues as it serves all Montgomery County districts
- District hired additional staff for DAEP; exploring 30/45/60-day DAEP placements as an intermediate option between 15-day DAEP and JJAEP
- Vaping is currently the #1 behavior leading to DAEP assignments
- Increase in DAEP numbers attributed largely to district growth (27,000 to 71,000+ students)
B. Membership Subcommittee
Presenter: Miss Kersey
- Electronic SHAC application was posted May 1st and will remain open through June 30th.
- Current SHAC members will receive an email this month asking about their intent to return for the next year.
- After gathering responses and attendance records, the membership subcommittee will determine how many spots need to be filled, with selection beginning in July.
- The subcommittee developed a membership selection rubric (handout distributed):
- Assessment categories include: experience with youth, community involvement, occupation, relevant skills, interest in subcommittees, interest in leadership roles, completeness, and professionalism
- Rubric is a personal tool for individual subcommittee members to take notes on applicants — notes are not shared or stored
- Includes a "reminders and references" section linking to Texas DSHS guidance on SHAC membership traits
- The rubric was slightly amended from the version previously circulated based on feedback.
C. Mental Health Subcommittee — Cell Phone Use Recommendations
Presenter: Dr. Bryce Speer (SHAC Chair) and subcommittee members
The mental health subcommittee reported investing an estimated 100+ volunteer hours developing cell phone use guidelines/recommendations.
Context and Data Presented:
- U.S. Surgeon General issued a new advisory in May 2023 on risks of social media to youth mental health (depression, anxiety, lack of human connection)
- Critical brain development occurs ages 10–19
- 3+ hours/day on social media doubles the risk of poor mental health outcomes
- 8th and 10th graders report averaging at least 3.5 hours/day on phones
- Systematic review of 42+ studies found consistent links between social media use and poor sleep, reduced sleep duration, and depression
- Screen time inversely correlated with outdoor time and physical activity; increased screen time linked to higher myopia risk
- Study showed texting while walking impairs executive cognitive function (safety concern in crowded schools)
- Meta-analysis on cyberbullying: positively related to depression; greater effect on females; risk increases with age; effects have increased over time and have not plateaued
General Framework:
Based on TEC 28.004(c)(2), the SHAC is responsible for recommending policies, procedures, and strategies to prevent mental health concerns.
Recommendations Presented:
1. Emergency Access: Students will continue to have access to cell phones during emergencies; campus emergency protocols remain unchanged.
2. 504/IEP Students: Students on 504 plans or IEPs maintain phone use consistent with their approved plans.
3. K–8 Students:
- Cell phones may be used respectfully and responsibly before school and after dismissal
- No videoing, recording, or photographing during school hours
- Phones should be on silent, kept in backpacks, and not visible during school hours (classroom, lunch, hallways, locker rooms)
4. 9th–12th Grade Students:
- Same before/after school use as K–8
- Cell phone use should be avoided during the school day
- Students may have access during designated periods (~20 minutes/day) for pressing personal matters (e.g., two 10-minute periods)
- Outside designated periods: silent mode, in backpacks, not visible
- No recording, videoing, or photographing
5. Extracurricular Communications:
- All CISD extracurricular communication with students should occur outside school hours using multiple methods (monitors, announcements, Canvas, etc.)
- On rare occasions when communication must occur during school hours, students can check during designated cell phone periods
6. Campus Awareness:
- Campuses should avoid mixed messages by not requiring cell phones as the primary mode to access forms, QR codes, etc.
- Chromebooks, monitors, announcements should be used instead
7. Accountability:
- Students should be supported with appropriate mental health interventions
- Appropriate interventions should deter non-compliance with cell phone policies
- Cell phones should not be used to incentivize behavior or fill classroom free time
Significant Discussion:
- Lisa Garrison (Director of Elementary Schools) recommended the subcommittee meet with a cross-section of principals before presenting to the board to get input on implementation challenges and build buy-in. She offered to facilitate those meetings.
- The mental health subcommittee acknowledged this input but noted that the recommendations are based on data and the data doesn't change regardless of implementation challenges.
- The subcommittee intentionally stayed out of implementation specifics, leaving that to individual campuses.
- Jeff Stickler (new Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools) expressed strong support for the data and recommendations but emphasized the importance of community education, parent buy-in, and including the "why" in student handbooks. He raised the concern about isolated students at lunch who don't have peers to talk to and suggested encouraging positive behaviors alongside restricting phone use.
- Wade Haymark (district facilitator) noted the recommendations align well with existing CISD policy language and praised the committee for creating recommendations rather than rigid policies, allowing campuses flexibility through their foundation teams.
- Multiple committee members emphasized:
- These are recommendations, not policies
- The ~20 minutes is approximate and flexible for campus scheduling
- The goal is to help students develop healthy phone habits
- The subcommittee is willing to partner with the district on implementation
- A creative visual was developed: "Cell Phone Free CISD Classroom: FACE to FACE" acronym promoting face-to-face relationships, creativity, problem solving, independent thinking, awareness, attentive listening, active participation, and connection
Vote:
- Motion to approve the SHAC cell phone recommendations: Made and seconded.
- Vote: Approved (unanimously by show of hands).
- The recommendations will be presented to the CISD Board of Trustees.
D. Alternative/Supplemental Health Curriculum Subcommittee
Two updates provided:
1. Alternative Curriculum Review — Esteem:
- In May, the subcommittee met with Tanya, founder of Esteem, a Texas-based company creating health curriculum aligned with TEKS
- Esteem is used in 60+ ISDs across Texas
- Feedback on physical workbooks was favorable — noted as more personal and engaging
- Some workbook topics identified as good opportunities for counselors to teach in classrooms
- Two options discussed: supplementing existing Health 1 curriculum with Esteem, or replacing existing curriculum with Esteem
- No recommendation made yet — subcommittee will review latest Esteem workbooks (available mid-June) for comparison
2. Scope and Sequence Review:
- Mr. Haymark provided the first few weeks of the Health 1 scope and sequence
- The subcommittee is actively reviewing and providing feedback
- Remaining nine-week sections will be reviewed once ready
PE/Health Professional Development (Mr. Haymark):
- District-wide professional learning day planned for August focused on:
- Proper nutrition to support PE and athletic/strength training programs (community partners presenting)
- Community-based activity programs promoting lifelong wellness
- Existing programs: Marathon Kids, Fitness Finders, Girls on the Run, Boys on the Run
- New program: 100 Mile Club — a parent subcommittee member will help introduce this
- Future considerations:
- Proper breathing and stretching techniques (also as de-escalation tactics); certified PE teachers will provide PD and instructional rounds
- Expanded CPR education into intermediate PE (5th–6th grade) with mannequins on campus
4. New Business
- No new business was raised.
5. Recognition
- Dr. Bryce Speer was recognized and thanked for his service as SHAC Chair this year, receiving CISD swag.
- Wade Haymark noted the power of SHAC's community outreach, citing that advertising through SHAC channels brought nearly 100 people to a community event in just a couple of days.
- Dr. Speer expressed gratitude and encouraged continued collaboration, emphasizing the potential of the SHAC council.
6. Student Participation
- Brief discussion about increasing student participation on SHAC; noted that students from nearby academies have participated and the committee hopes to continue building student involvement.
Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned. (This was noted as the final SHAC meeting of the year.)
Summary of Key Actions
| Item | Action/Outcome |
|------|---------------|
| April 25 Minutes | Approved unanimously |
| Cell Tower Concerns | Informational presentation; no formal action taken |
| Membership Rubric | Presented to full SHAC; applications open through June 30 |
| Cell Phone Recommendations | Approved unanimously — will be presented to CISD Board of Trustees |
| Esteem Health Curriculum | Under review; no recommendation yet |
| Health 1 Scope & Sequence | Under review by subcommittee |
| Vaping Deterrent Program | In progress (district) |
| DAEP 30/45/60-day option | Being developed (district) |