August 15, 2023 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2023-08-15
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 16:00 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
August 15, 2023
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Opening
- Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Board President Hubert
- Quorum confirmed; meeting posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act
- Invocation led by President Hubert; Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge recited
Citizen Participation (Item 2)
Cell Phone Policy / Student Mental Health (Multiple Speakers):
- April KY — Praised the board's unanimous support for the SHAC cell phone recommendation at the prior meeting. Noted a significant gap between existing CISD cell phone policy and enforcement, particularly at junior high and high school campuses. Cited statistics linking teen screen time (3+ hours/day) to a 35% higher suicide risk. Urged immediate enforcement of the existing policy rather than waiting 2–3 months.
- Melissa Simir — Parent and English professor reported her daughter used her phone 2–4 hours during school days at Mauldin Junior High in the first week. Found students taking photos of each other in class and posting on Snapchat/TikTok during instructional time. Her neurodivergent child's doctor recommended extremely limited screen time, which current school policies make impossible to enforce.
- Becky Fix — Served on the SHAC and mental health committees. Compared the need for a cell phone policy to the successful anti-drunk driving campaigns of the past. Called for a districtwide policy requiring phones to be put away for the day.
- Tessa Stucky — Licensed psychotherapist and mother of four boys in the district. Encouraged the board to adopt the SHAC-recommended policy improvement. Offered a copy of her book on the topic to each board member.
TASB Delegates / "All Means All" / Inclusivity (Multiple Speakers):
- Elizabeth Morrison — Urged the board to choose TASB delegates wisely, suggesting those with "more controversial stances" should not represent the district.
- Kelly Latus — Reminded the board that "all means all" includes students of all backgrounds. Criticized policy changes driven by a vocal few. Quoted Dwight Eisenhower on political extremes and called for nonpartisan governance.
- Susan Moore — 25-year CISD teacher who defended the rainbow symbol, citing Merriam-Webster's definition. Argued there is no hidden agenda and urged focus on more important issues. Stated teachers teach the "whole child" and that "all means all."
- Tim Fox — CISD parent, teacher, and graduate. Expressed concern that the district became nationally infamous due to statements at the last board meeting challenging a classroom poster. Urged recommitment to inclusivity.
- Rachel Walker — Criticized certain trustees for lack of training on Robert's Rules and board procedures. Called on trustees to lead by example on cell phone usage during meetings. Directly challenged Trustee Dungan's claims about parent complaints regarding rainbow posters, calling the concern performative.
- Megan Crra — Described the prior meeting's discussion of a first-grade rainbow poster as "blatant racism" and "disregard for all means all." Warned that words have repercussions.
- Kyle Crra — Attorney born in the building (former Doctor's Hospital). Called the prior meeting's poster discussion one of the most shocking things he'd encountered. Defended the community's values of inclusivity.
Homeschool Participation in UIL Activities:
- James Nimons — Math interventionist and homeschooling parent encouraged the district to allow homeschool students to participate in extracurricular activities under HB 47 (the "Tim Tebow bill"), noting 37 other states allow this and several surrounding districts already do.
Montgomery Central Appraisal District (MCAD) Budget (Multiple Speakers):
- Emily Rose Powell (MCAD litigation manager), Troy Mony (MCAD employee), Brad Dyer (MCAD litigation/arbitration manager), Richard Cole (MCAD supervisor), Jacob Martinez (MCAD deputy chief), Justin Wilson (MCAD employee), Ruth S. (real estate broker), Robin Broba (former Willis ISD trustee/real estate broker), and Bruce Tuff (MCAD Board Chairman) — All urged the board NOT to oppose MCAD's 2024 budget. Key points included:
- Explosive county growth (1,819 new subdivisions since 2018)
- Lawsuits increasing from 125 (2019) to 618 (2022)
- New court-mandated docket control orders accelerating litigation and increasing costs
- Severely understaffed; starting salaries near poverty level ($28,000 entry-level)
- 15-year-old computer system needing replacement
- Without adequate budget, property values could be inaccurate, affecting school district revenue
- MCAD Chairman Tuff introduced new Chief Appraiser Janet Jennings Doyle
Bond / Tax Rate:
- Scott Nelson — Bond committee member and supporter. Raised concern about transparency regarding the relationship between the legislative tax decrease and the bond's tax increase. Asked for clarification on the net impact. (Dr. Null clarified: the bond increase is 2 cents; with legislative compression of 15+ cents, the net is still a decrease of over 13 cents.)
Other Speakers:
- Alexander Harris — Spoke against what he characterized as "atheist ideologies" in curriculum and library materials.
- Teresa Neiman — Teacher who made a brief statement: if she is not trusted to choose posters or books, she should not be entrusted to choose "who lives and who dies" (referencing school safety/arming teachers).
- Robert Holden — Criticized the district regarding CRT, education standards, and referenced Marxist ideology.
- Jennifer — Spoke about political ideology displays in classrooms, urged the board to clarify policy language about personal beliefs being displayed, and referenced a student being confused by pronoun questions.
- Stacy Ernest — Parent who referenced an unanswered May 9 email to Dr. Null about alleged discrimination at Irons Junior High. Referenced a recent incident of a CISD employee assaulting a student. Called for Trustee Williams's resignation.
- Tina Orbal — Defended Trustee Dungan against criticism, urged people not to believe media narratives.
- Ginger Russell — Framed school board issues as "good versus evil," referenced biblical scripture, and expressed support for Trustee Dungan.
- Diane Nelson — Asked about CISD's annual membership cost for TASB; reported difficulty getting an answer from district staff. Called for the district to withdraw from TASB, citing the organization's delayed response to a controversial national letter regarding parents at school board meetings.
- Carrie Freemer — President of TSTA Conroe (Texas State Teachers Association local chapter). Shared TSTA's vision and mission. Announced TSTA Conroe's support for the upcoming bond referendum. Introduced the TSTA Conroe executive board.
Consent Agenda (Item 3)
- Motion to approve: Passed unanimously (no items pulled for separate discussion)
Teaching and Learning (Item 4A)
Summer School Report
Presented by Dr. Chris Povich (Assistant Superintendent, High School) and Dr. Jeff Stickler (Assistant Superintendent, Middle School), with elementary data presented on behalf of Dr. Winkler (absent).
Elementary:
- 5 campuses; 1,911 students served
- Programs: Bilingual (742), ESL (340), Passport to Learning/HB 4545 (554), Camp STAR (275)
- Total cost: ~$1.5 million
Middle School:
- 4 intermediates and 2 junior highs; 1,151 students served
- Programs: Passport to Learning, Camp STAR, Credit Recovery, ESL Academy, math acceleration, dyslexia intervention; some junior high students earned high school credit
- Total cost: $771,149 (largely through federal Title grants)
High School (at The Woodlands HS):
- 783 students; 1,115 courses taken
- 98% successful course completion; 97% credit recovery success rate
- Total cost: $447,900
Summer Enrichment (at Mauldin JH):
- 368 students in robotics, GT, and fine arts
- Tuition-based; cost: $22,800
Extended School Year (ESY):
- Haley Elementary (PreK–4th): 148 students
- Oak Ridge HS 9th Grade Campus (5th–12th): 93 students
- Total ESY cost: $259,500
District-wide total: 4,454 students served over the summer
Special thanks given to technology department (revamped registration), transportation, child nutrition, and custodial/maintenance departments.
Planning and Construction (Item 5)
Capital Improvements Update — Mr. Foster
Safety & Security: On schedule through calendar year 2024; significant work completed over summer.
New Campuses:
- Morehead Junior High — Opened for students on August 9
- Hines Elementary — Opened for students on August 9
- Janet K. Bartlett Elementary — On schedule to open summer 2024
Renovations:
- Conroe High School — ~63% complete; new CTE wing opened; athletics venue in use; new Fine Arts section under construction; next phase includes new dining commons and kitchen (goal to open for next school year). Capacity concerns noted — school is over capacity; considering moving from 4 to 5 lunch periods.
- Oak Ridge High School — New CTE wing opened; main street renovation complete; road construction around campus nearing completion, awaiting Entergy power line relocation (expected completion ~October)
- Collins Intermediate — Gym opened in January; AC system renovated over summer; opened on time
- Giesinger — AC overhaul completed; opened on time
- Veterans Memorial Intermediate (formerly Morehead JH) — Rebranded; new carpet, driveway queuing improvements; opened on time
Auxiliary Facilities:
- East County Transportation Center — On schedule; expected use during winter break
- North County Transportation Center — On schedule; expected use during winter break
Discussion:
- Trustee asked about worker safety in extreme heat; Mr. Foster confirmed contractors have shifted hours, increased breaks/hydration, and maintained zero heat-related hospital incidents
- Rain has not been a significant issue; dust management is the current concern
Purchasing (Item 6)
6A: RFP 23-053 AC Filter Media
- Recommended award to Clean Air Filter Service and Sales
- Estimated annual expenditure: ~$80,000
- One-year term with two automatic one-year renewals (through August 2026)
- Vote: Approved unanimously
6B: RFP 23-062 New and Used Vehicles
- Recommended award to Buckalew Chevrolet, Caldwell Country Chevrolet, and Gullo Ford
- Estimated expenditure: $660,000
- Trustee asked about evaluation criteria; Mr. Ree explained they follow standard Texas Education Code §44.031 criteria
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Public Hearing: Budget and Proposed Tax Rate (Item 7)
Budget Presentation — Mr. Darren Rice, CFO
Legislative Update:
- HB 3 (school safety) passed during regular session
- SB 2 (property tax relief) passed during Special Session #2:
- Additional 10.7 cents of tax compression on M&O rate
- Homestead exemption increased from $40,000 to $100,000
- Hold-harmless provision included
- Estimated savings: ~$1,050/year for a $350,000 home
Key Budget Parameters:
- Estimated enrollment: 73,194 students (3,000+ new)
- Estimated ADA: 92.5%
- Certified property values: $54.9 billion (5.26% increase)
- 2023-24 Tax Rate: $0.9621 (M&O: $0.7021; Debt Service: $0.26) — 15.25 cents lower than prior year
Revenue:
- SB 2 compression offset by hold-harmless: net zero
- Golden penny yield increase: $13.5 million
- New student growth: $29.91 million
- Interest income increase: $4.3 million
- Total estimated funding increase: $49.4 million
Expenditures:
- No salary increase included (pending legislative action)
- 556 new positions ($35.7 million) — includes opening 3 new schools, absorbing 225 ESSER positions, reduced 1st-4th grade staffing ratio to 22:1
- Inflation factor: $3.5 million
- Portable buildings: $3 million increase
- Total estimated expenditure increase: $49.4 million
- Balanced budget
Compensation:
- A 3% raise would cost ~$17.6 million
- Board-approved $1,200 retention stipend (two $600 payments in October/November) funded from remaining ESSER funds
- Resolution passed in June for retroactive raises if legislature acts
Fund Balance: Projected at $126.3 million (~$2.3 million above the 20% target of $124 million)
Public Comments During Hearing:
- TSTA Conroe representative thanked the board for the retention stipend
- Luis Pedraza asked detailed questions about how the bond's 2-cent increase relates to the SB 2 tax compression; Mr. Rice and Mr. Robuck (financial advisor) clarified that overall tax rates will still decrease even with the bond passage
Financial Actions (Items 8A–8G)
8A: Defeasance of Series 2016 Bonds
- Paying off ~$9.56 million in Series 2016 bonds (5% interest rate)
- Estimated savings: ~$5.69 million in debt service
- Funds come from debt service fund balance
- Financial advisor John Robuck presented; noted total savings from refundings/defeasances since 2009: $176.8 million
- Vote: Approved unanimously
8B: Refunding Bond Parameter Order
- Proposed issuance of ~$107.9 million in refunding bonds (Series 2014, 2014A, 2014B)
- Estimated savings: ~$6.9 million (4.9% present value savings)
- Bonds to be sold around October 17; closing November 16
- Trustee asked about 3.75% rate on shorter maturities; Mr. Robuck confirmed those would be pulled if savings fall below 3%
- Vote: Approved unanimously
8E: Chapter 49 — Local Revenue in Excess of Entitlement (Moved ahead of 8C)
- Recommended selection of Option 3 (purchase attendance credits from state)
- Administrative procedure only; CISD does not access copper pennies, so no actual funds are transferred
- This is an annual housekeeping item
- Vote: Approved unanimously
8C: Adoption of 2023-2024 Official School Budget
- Recommended approval of the balanced budget as presented
Significant Trustee Discussion:
- Trustee Nelson delivered extended remarks explaining her vote:
- Expressed heartbreak that the budget includes no salary increases
- Explained why a deficit budget is not advisable (credit rating risk, below-threshold fund balance, no recurring revenue to cover recurring costs)
- Distinguished CISD's position from districts with large fund balances that can absorb deficits
- Proposed a potential contingency: If the bond passes, the $30 million prepaid for land would be reimbursed to the fund balance, potentially funding approximately 2 years of ~2.5-3% salary increases as a bridge until the next legislative session
- Emphasized this is a "Hail Mary" concept, not a preference, but wanted to provide hope
- Trustee Dungan noted the $30 million land prepayment was the first time the district used a resolution to reimburse the general fund
- Dr. Null explained the strategic rationale for prepurchasing land (accelerating school construction by 1-2 years after the 2019 bond initially failed)
- Trustee Chase thanked Trustee Nelson for the thorough analysis; agreed on key points
- Trustee Wagman noted the fund balance was previously at ~28% and has been drawn down by capital improvements
- Dr. Null indicated future workshops would follow any legislative action to determine how to allocate new funding
- Vote: Approved unanimously
8D: Adoption of 2023 Ad Valorem Tax Rate
- M&O Rate: $0.7021 per $100 valuation
- Debt Service Rate: $0.26 per $100 valuation
- Total Rate: $0.9621 — 15.25 cents lower than prior year
- Mr. Rice noted this is the lowest rate in at least 40 years (going back to 1984); the highest was $1.76 in 2006
- If the bond passes, next year's debt service would increase to $0.28, for a total of ~$0.9821 (still a net decrease from the current year)
- Vote: Approved unanimously
8F: Resolution Opposing MCAD 2024 Preliminary Budget
- MCAD's preliminary budget showed a 23.8% increase (~$3.2 million additional cost to all taxing jurisdictions)
- CISD's share: ~$1 million increase (from $4.159M to $5.178M; typical annual increases are $150-200K)
- Montgomery County Commissioners Court already passed a similar opposing resolution
- Dr. Null emphasized this was brought for awareness and board input, not to be combative
- MCAD Chief Appraiser Janet Jennings Doyle addressed the board:
- Explained growth pressures (county is now 11th largest, considered metropolitan)
- ARB costs exceeded budget ($696K actual vs. $475K budgeted)
- Postage increased from ~$200K to $500K due to legislative mandates
- New election requirements (~$300K for May 2024)
- 15-year-old software system failing
- The 3.5% staff raise component is only $29,000 total
- Cutting to single-digit increase would require laying off 5 positions
- If property valuations are inaccurate, it could affect state funding
Motion: To take NO ACTION on the resolution (i.e., not oppose MCAD's budget)
- Vote: 6-0-1 (one abstention from a trustee)
- Motion carried — the board chose NOT to oppose MCAD's budget
8G: Financial Reports — Karen Garza
- General fund revenue YTD: $516.37 million
- Second debt payment of $34 million processed that day
- Self-funded insurance: $1.8 million surplus; trending favorably
- Investment portfolio: Par value $531.1 million; combined yield ~5%+
- 90-day T-bill benchmark: 5.27%
Legal (Item 9)
9A: TASB Delegate Assembly Selection
- Trustee Wagman already serves on the TASB Board of Directors and will represent CISD
- No other trustees volunteered (one out of town, others declined)
- No formal action taken as Trustee Wagman's existing position covers representation
9B: Resolution Designating Non-Business Days (HB 3033 Compliance)
- Designates 10 additional non-business days for remainder of 2023 and 10 for 2024
- For purposes of Public Information Act response timelines
- Days cover Thanksgiving break, winter break, and portions of spring break
- Vote: Approved unanimously
Executive Session (Item 10)
- Board entered executive session at 9:23 PM under Texas Government Code §551.071 (legal consultation) and §551.074 (personnel matters)
- Returned to open session at 10:08 PM
- No action taken from executive session
Future Agenda Items (Item 12)
- No requests from trustees
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:08 PM
Key Takeaways:
1. Budget adopted with no salary increases — pending legislative action in expected October special session; board resolution allows retroactive pay increases if funded
2. $1,200 retention stipend approved from remaining ESSER funds (paid in October/November)
3. Tax rate set at $0.9621 — lowest in 40+ years, a 15.25-cent decrease from prior year
4. Board chose NOT to oppose MCAD's budget despite a $1 million increase to CISD
5. Bond savings: $5.69M from defeasance + estimated $6.9M from refunding = ~$12.6M in debt service savings
6. Cell phone enforcement was a major theme in public comment — multiple speakers urged immediate action
7. Inclusivity/poster controversy from previous meeting continued to generate significant public comment on both sides
8. Three new schools opened for the 2023-24 school year; Conroe HS renovation at 63% complete with capacity concerns
9. 4,454 students participated in summer school programs across the district
10. Trustee Nelson proposed contingency plan to potentially use $30M land reimbursement (upon bond passage) to fund ~2 years of salary increases if legislature fails to act