February 20, 2024 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2024-02-20
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 16:40 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
February 20, 2024
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions. For official minutes, please consult the district's records.
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
- President Hubert led the invocation, which included a moment of silence for recent tragedies affecting the Conroe ISD community
- Trustee Teresa Wagman led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge
Special Board Recognitions
2024 TMEA All-State Musicians (Item 2A)
- Dr. Bob Horton, Director of Fine Arts, presented recognition of 30 Conroe ISD students named 2024 Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State musicians
- Over 77,000 students statewide auditioned; fewer than 3% earn All-State designation; 1,800 total selected statewide
- Students represented Conroe ISD high schools including Oak Ridge, College Park, The Woodlands, and Grand Oaks
- Teachers from each campus were also recognized for guiding students through the competitive process
- All 30 students were individually called forward and recognized
Caney Creek High School — 2024 UIL Co-Ed State Cheer Champions (Item 2A continued)
- Recognized as the school's first-ever UIL state championship
- Dr. Terry Benson (Principal) and Kendall Heinan (Athletic Director) introduced the team
- Coach Janelle Jackson (head coach, 6 years at Caney Creek) noted the team earned:
- The highest co-ed score in UIL history
- The second-highest score across all divisions (1A–6A) since 2015
- A score of 98.33%
- Assistant coaches Christine Zimmer and Paris Dugay (a Caney Creek cheerleading alumna) were also recognized
- The team includes freshmen through seniors; all compete on the state mat
- Students were individually introduced; the team performed a brief cheer for the board
- President Hubert noted the team's community service, including cheering for bus barn employees
Citizen Participation (Item 3)
16 speakers addressed the board. Summary of topics:
Facilities / Athletics Concerns
- Teresa Neeman & Grayson (Oak Ridge baseball booster club): Expressed frustration about field maintenance, lack of investment in older facilities (Oak Ridge facilities date to 1981), parent volunteers performing duties they believe should be district responsibilities, and inequitable spending compared to newer schools. Requested a follow-up meeting.
- Deborah Peralis (Conroe High parent): Noted Conroe High School has had no usable tennis courts since 2021; portable buildings are being placed where tennis courts should go. Raised transportation issues (14-passenger bus for 40+ students). Requested a resolution and noted her son asked her to speak up.
Board Appreciation
- Louis Pedraza: Thanked the board generally for their difficult work; specifically thanked Trustees Melissa, Tiffany, and Misty for standing on their principles.
Ethics / Political Conduct
- Scott Nelson: Criticized President Hubert for a campaign email (related to his run for state representative) that he described as falsely accusing opponent Will Toler of aligning with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. Called the ad "despicable" and "unethical" and asked Hubert to retract it and issue a public apology.
Student Organization (DECA)
- Abigail Ster and Brandon Carlile (Conroe DECA): Highlighted DECA's community service and competition achievements; raised concerns about lack of funding and a denied overnight stay authorization for state competition, forcing students to wake at 3 AM and travel in rain. Requested more funding and district support.
Library Books / Book Challenges
- Michelle Knuckles: Read a passage from a book at Veterans Memorial Intermediate that she found objectionable; disputed President Hubert's public claims that no books have been challenged since the new policy was implemented, stating at least two are currently in process.
- Rachel Walker: Referenced the death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary student in Oklahoma beaten in a school bathroom, linking anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to real-world consequences. Urged Trustee Nelson to extend concern for "saving lives" to transgender students.
- Natalie Adams: Expressed concern about reports that books were being "quietly boxed and taken from classrooms without formal procedures." Urged the board to stop what she characterized as effective book banning.
- Alexander Harris: Urged the board to remove LGBTQ-ideology books and bring in books based on Judeo-Christian principles. Warned four board members up for election that they have "fallen short in protecting children."
- Susan Scrubs: Held President Hubert responsible for not removing transgender/gender surgery books from libraries. Detailed adverse medical effects of gender transition procedures.
Gifted and Talented Program
- Melissa Simler: Criticized CISD's GT program, expressing concern about combining GT students with AIM (autism/behavioral intervention) students in elementary classrooms. Asked where HB 1525 weighted GT funding has been directed and why GT programs have deteriorated.
District of Innovation
- Lindsay Dawson: Questioned why the DOI plan was being brought forward nearly two years early when it doesn't expire until December 2025. Raised concerns about expanded exemptions, including uncertified teacher hiring, and called for more community input and transparency.
Special Education
- Amber Fusa: Cited 10 Conroe ISD due process cases out of 406 statewide since 2010, with two findings in favor of parents in 2022 and 2023. Urged the board to address FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) violations.
Teacher Pay
- Rachel Jones: Thanked the board for unanimously approving teacher pay increases despite the state legislature not funding raises. Expressed disappointment that these decisions were being used as "political fodder."
Religious/Values-Based Comments
- Linda Long, Truly High School (pastor), Tina Orbal, and Robert LeBel: Spoke about biblical principles, the founding of American schools to teach religion, the Ten Commandments, and opposition to "woke ideology" in education.
Other
- Audrey Warner: Apologized for not consistently praying for the board; specifically encouraged Trustees Dungan, Nelson, and Odin-Weller.
- Carolyn Nene: Stated the education system has been "captured by radical left ideology" and accused CISD of playing "a major role in the plot to take down America."
Consent Agenda (Item 4)
- Motion to approve: Passed unanimously (no items pulled)
Action Items
Item 5A: Named Director of High Mobility and At-Risk Programs
- Dr. Null acknowledged the retirement of Rod Chavez after 24 years in the position, calling him "The Miracle Worker"
- Recommended Dr. Paula Gorman, current principal who has served at two high-ecodis campuses
- Dr. Gorman accepted, noting she was personally at risk of becoming a statistic and is committed to serving at-risk students
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 5B: Named Chief Financial Officer
- Dr. Null acknowledged the retirement of Darren Rice after 30+ years, noting Conroe ISD was the first district in Texas to receive all transparency stars and ranked #2 in efficiency/academic performance
- Recommended Karen Garza, 18-year veteran of the CISD finance department and Army veteran
- Ms. Garza accepted, thanking Mr. Rice for his mentorship
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Public Hearing: 2022–2023 Annual Report (Item 6)
- Dr. Medford presented the required annual report, covering seven sections plus a glossary
- Key highlights:
- Enrollment continues to increase
- CISD outperforms comparison districts at approaches, meets, and masters grade levels on state assessments
- Dropout rate remains very low compared to peers
- Per-student operating expenditures are significantly lower than peer districts while maintaining high academic performance
- District is accredited
- 74 reportable criminal incidents at 11 campuses; 60 were felony controlled substances (THC vape)
- 5,485 students took 11,252 AP exams; 2,488 students enrolled in dual credit courses earning 2,875 credit hours; 4,848 industry-based certifications earned
- District is in Year 3 of HB 3 five-year plans for early childhood literacy, math proficiency, and CCMR
- Dr. Null noted that if CISD spent per-student amounts equal to Klein ISD, the budget would increase by $78.8 million; equal to Spring Branch ISD, it would increase by $168.2 million
- No public comments were made during the hearing
Item 7A: Campus Mascot and School Colors — Janet K. Bartlett Elementary
- Information item only (no vote)
- Dr. Medford presented: School colors will be maroon and gray
- Mrs. Sharita Smith named as inaugural principal (currently principal of Travis Intermediate)
- Three mascot finalists selected through community/family nomination process:
- Bartlett Bobcats
- Bartlett Bears
- Bartlett Bucks
- Students will vote next week; final recommendation to come at March board meeting
- Mrs. Bartlett participated in the process; the school is located on land she drove past as a child with her father working in Conroe oil fields
Item 7B: District of Innovation (DOI) Plan — Consider and Approve
Significant discussion item. Dr. Medford presented the DOI plan developed by the district-level planning and decision-making committee.
Background:
- Current DOI expires December 2025
- Process began summer 2023 when the district was losing teacher candidates to neighboring districts with broader DOI exemptions
- 25+ districts researched; committee met twice in December; plan approved by committee January 10; posted for 30-day public comment January 12
- Community feedback was limited; public meeting held on Valentine's Day (February 14) was lightly attended and not recorded
Proposed Exemptions:
1. Campus Behavior Coordinator — Allow multiple APs to handle discipline rather than one designated coordinator
2. Flexible Calendar — Continue current flexibility
3. Minutes of Instruction — Flexibility to avoid makeup days (e.g., after ice days)
4. Possession of Nicotine/E-Cigarettes — Maintain DAEP seats for more serious violations
5. Student Learning Objective (SLO) — Exempt teachers from duplicative appraisal requirement
6. Teacher Certification — Hire best applicants more quickly, even without full certification (competitive with neighboring districts)
7. Teacher Contracts — Additional time before offering term contracts to new-to-district teachers
8. Teacher Work Days — Flexibility in setting work calendar (e.g., 186 vs. 187 days)
9. Transfer Students — Ability to revoke inter-district transfers for code of conduct violations or attendance issues
Board Discussion:
- Trustee Odin-Weller expressed concerns about the rushed timeline, wanted more time to review policies (BQA legal/local, AF legal), and was not comfortable voting that night
- Trustee Nelson questioned why the entire plan wasn't limited to just teacher certification (the driving need) and expressed concern about hiring uncertified teachers
- Trustee Chase asked detailed questions about qualified candidates lost to other districts and the hiring timeline (job fair March 23)
- Multiple trustees questioned the amendment/rescission process and whether the committee could override the board (Dr. Null clarified the board retains final authority)
- Paula Green (HR) confirmed approximately 58 current teacher vacancies (higher than pre-COVID, when they wouldn't have been in double digits)
- District currently has approximately 116 teachers on emergency permits
Votes:
1. First vote on original motion to approve DOI plan as presented:
- Failed 4-2 (needed 5 votes/two-thirds majority)
2. Discussion about whether the plan could be amended on the spot — Dr. Null and Ms. Glattus confirmed it could NOT be amended and voted on the same night; it would need to go back to committee, be reposted for 30 days, resulting in approximately a 60-day delay (April board meeting)
3. Second motion to approve the DOI plan as presented:
- Passed 5-1
Item 7C: Cybersecurity Grant Application Resolution
- District seeking approval to apply for the 2024-2025 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
- Minimum potential award: $10,000; no maximum defined
- District must match 10% from technology budget
- Eligible uses: advanced logging systems, security assessments, automated asset discovery, vulnerability scanning
- Competitive grant; due date March 14
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Bond/Construction Items (Item 8)
Item 8A: GMP — New Elementary School, Woodlands Feeder (Flex 24)
- Marshall Construction Company (CM at Risk)
- GMP: $45,819,000 (transcription approximate)
- Vote: Passed unanimously (one trustee abstained)
Item 8B: GMP — New Elementary School, Caney Creek/Oak Ridge Feeders (Flex 25)
- Marshall Construction Company (CM at Risk)
- GMP: $44,829,681
- Vote: Passed (one abstention noted)
Item 8C: CM at Risk Selection — Haley & Buckalew Elementary Additions/Renovations
- Selected: Tellepsen Builders (best value)
- Runner-up: Satterfield & Pontikes
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8D: CM at Risk Selection — Ford & Creighton Elementary Additions/Renovations
- Selected: Tellepsen Builders
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8E: CM at Risk Selection — The Woodlands High School Renovation
- Selected: Pogue Construction Company
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8F: CM at Risk Selection — McCullough Junior High Addition/Renovation
- Selected: Tellepsen Builders
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8G: CM at Risk Selection — Washington High School Master Plan Phase 1
- Selected: Satterfield & Pontikes
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8H: CM at Risk Selection — Agriculture Facility
- Selected: Brookstone General Contractors
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8I: CM at Risk Selection — Oak Ridge High School Master Plan Phase 2
- Selected: Pogue Construction Company
- Trustee asked whether Phase 2 would address baseball/athletic facilities (referencing citizen comments); Mr. Foster indicated current focus is Fine Arts but scope could be shifted, which would remove scope from another phase
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8J: CM at Risk Selection — Knox Junior High Renovation
- Selected: Satterfield & Pontikes
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8K: Job Order Contract — McCullough Junior High Kitchen Renovation
- Method: Job Order Contracting (JOC)
- Vendor: Horizon International Group — $748,500
- Project: Kitchen serving line expansion at McCullough JH
- Requires Texas Department of Agriculture approval before work begins
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 8L: Capital Improvements Update (Information Only)
- Safety & Security (2019 Bond): On schedule, wrapping up end of calendar year 2024
- Bartlett Elementary: Exterior nearing completion; permanent power turned on in February; chillers arriving; furniture expected May; principal moving in June 1; on schedule for August opening
- Conroe High School: Fine Arts section and new dining commons under construction; roof structure going up; Phase 2 scheduled to turn over August 2024; full project completion December 2025
- Tennis courts delayed — portable buildings being placed on tennis court site due to overcrowding (~5,400 students, heading toward 6,000+); Conroe HS will be the second-largest high school in Texas
- 12 double (24 total) portable classrooms being placed
- Tennis courts to be built after new high school completed (aligned with December 2025 timeline)
- Auditorium/stage renovation will also temporarily displace theater arts program
- Oak Ridge High School: Entergy confirmed power pole relocation crews arriving late this week; county platting process for road/right-of-way land swap proceeding through commissioner's court in March
Technology Items (Item 9)
Item 9A: CSP 23-102 — Internal Connections Campus Refresh (E-Rate)
- Vendor: Data Vox and Layer 3 Technologies
- Estimated expenditure: $5.2 million
- E-Rate program provides 20–90% discounts; district receives rebates on planned technology work
- Covers: wireless access points, routers, switches, phones, cabling, etc.
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 9B: CSP 23-103 — Internet and Data Transmission Services (E-Rate)
- Vendor: Wave Media
- Estimated expenditure: $2.6 million
- 3-year term (July 2024–June 2027) with two annual renewal options
- Broadband data transport over dark/lit fiber optic cable
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Item 9C: Relay Graduate School of Education — Professional Development Services
- Estimated expenditure: Up to $120,000 (one-time)
- Provides training in data-driven instruction (DDI) and observation/feedback for principals, APs, and instructional coaches
- Partially funded through T-CLASS grant (Texas Co-Learning Accelerated Support System) — grant exceeds $1 million total, covering year-long teacher residency program, mentors, and professional development
- District's year-long teacher residency program is in its 4th cohort with ~70% hire rate
- A thought exchange survey of ~1,000 teachers ranked DDI as their #1 requested professional development topic
- Extensive board discussion about effectiveness, other districts using the program, and whether relay is TEA-approved
- Vote: Passed unanimously
Financial Reports (Item 10A)
- Ms. Garza presented January 31 financial update:
- General fund revenue: $372 million; expenditures: $225 million (5 months into fiscal year — note: figures from transcript may be approximate)
- Property tax collections: ~80% collected (on track)
- 2019 Bond: ~$27 million estimated to complete; first 2023 bond sale closed February 6
- Self-funded insurance: January net loss of some amount; year-to-date positive $2.18 million
- Investment portfolio yield: 5.34%, exceeding the 90-day T-Bill benchmark for the first time in 22 months
- Combined par value: $623.08 million; Woodforest at 5.50%
Policy Items (Item 13)
Item 13A: Board Policy EHAA — Required Instruction (First Reading)
- First reading only — no action taken
- SHA recommended that the parental consent requirement for human sexuality instruction (expiring August 2024) be moved into local policy to prevent any lapse
- Ms. Glattus explained the language will be duplicative temporarily until the legal provision expires
- Trustee asked about also adding abuse prevention instruction language to local policy; Ms. Glattus advised against duplicating legal provisions in local policy due to compliance risks
- Will return in March for adoption
Item 13B: Sale/Disposal of Discontinued Instructional Resources
- Required because Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) funds were used to purchase many items
- Board must make findings that materials still on the State Board of Education approved list are no longer needed
- Items include damaged/outdated materials, workbooks available online, STEM Scopes being discontinued, and approximately 2,000 items related to informal book removals
- Disposal methods (in priority order): sale, donation, recycling, discarding
Significant discussion:
- Trustee Chase raised concerns that books removed through the informal challenge process (not the formal board policy process) were included on the disposal list, and that some items were listed as "pending review"
- She questioned what recourse parents have to challenge informal book removals and expressed concern about disposing of materials before challenges could be raised
- Trustee Chase proposed an amendment to exclude materials related to informal book challenges from the disposal list
- Amendment failed for lack of a second
- Original motion passed (vote count not explicitly stated in transcript but appeared to carry by majority)
- Dr. Null indicated the district could prioritize informally-removed books last in the disposal order
Future Agenda Item Requests (Item 14)
1. Trustee Chase: Revisit policy EFB to add explicit language about recourse for challenging books removed through informal process
2. Trustee Odin-Weller: Add BQA Local policy for board discussion
3. President Hubert: Rewrite SHA (School Health Advisory Council) bylaws ("they are way out of whack and need some help")
Adjournment
- Meeting adjourned by unanimous motion
- No executive session held
These notes are unofficial and based on an auto-generated transcript. They are intended to help the public understand what occurred during the meeting. For official records, please refer to the board-approved minutes.