{
  "id": "2024-03-19_regular",
  "meeting_date": "2024-03-19",
  "meeting_type": "regular",
  "meeting_types": [
    "regular"
  ],
  "title": "Conroe ISD Board Meeting — March 19, 2024",
  "date_display": "March 19, 2024",
  "type_display": "Regular Meeting",
  "types_display": [
    "Regular Meeting"
  ],
  "item_count": 0,
  "has_agenda": false,
  "has_notes": true,
  "pdf_filename": null,
  "packet_url": null,
  "generated_at": "2026-06-18T19:45:21.285130Z",
  "highlights": "",
  "sections": [],
  "agenda_breakdown_md": "",
  "meeting_notes_md": "# Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2024-03-19\n*Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes*\n*Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.*\n*Generated 2026-03-28 16:43 UTC*\n\n---\n\n# Unofficial Meeting Notes\n## Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees\n### Regular Meeting — March 19, 2024\n\n*These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.*\n\n---\n\n## Opening\n- Meeting called to order at 6:03 PM by Board President Hubert\n- Quorum confirmed; meeting posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act\n- **Invocation:** Trustee Dayón Williams\n- **Pledge of Allegiance:** Trustee Melissa Duncan\n\n---\n\n## Special Recognitions\n\n### Forbes America's Best Large Employers 2024 (Item 2A)\n- **Presented by Dr. Null (Superintendent)** personally\n- Conroe ISD was ranked **#37 in the nation** on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers — a list of 600 companies with 5,000+ employees across all industries (not limited to education)\n- CISD appears on **page one** of the list alongside St. Jude's, Microsoft, Google, NASA, H-E-B, and Apple\n- Companies ranked below CISD include Chevron, Costco, MD Anderson, Dell, Nike, UT Austin, Tesla, Southwest Airlines, Chick-fil-A, United Airlines, ExxonMobil, and Dr Pepper\n- Only one other school district made the entire list\n- Rankings are based on surveys of current and past employees and some community input\n- Dr. Null credited the board and district employees for creating an environment people want to work in\n- Dr. Null highlighted four measures of district success: academic performance, student achievement in passions/extracurriculars, stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and community support\n- **Job Fair announced:** Saturday, Grand Oaks High School, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM\n- Board photo taken with commemorative banner and plaque\n\n### State Wrestling Champions (Items 2B–2D)\n\n**College Park High School** (Introduced by Dr. Martin Morel and Coach Eric Spute):\n- **Caillou Aaron** — 126 lb state champion; record of 54-1; ranked 18th nationally; junior; verbally committed to California Baptist University (Big 12)\n- **Colton Odor** — 157 lb state champion; senior; on state podium three times (6th as sophomore, 3rd as junior, 1st as senior); school career wins record of 173 (102 by pin)\n- College Park wrestling team finished **3rd overall** at state tournament\n\n**The Woodlands High School** (Introduced by Dr. Landry and Coach Jeff Rayome):\n- **Riley Rayome** — 114 lb girls state champion, **back-to-back titles**; 54-0 season record; 151 career wins (on track for 200+); won a national title at preseason national championships; ranked **#1 in the nation** at her weight class; first female at The Woodlands to win two state titles; maintains straight A's; started wrestling exactly 10 years ago to the day\n\nPresident Hubert noted this is the third consecutive year recognizing CISD wrestling state champions.\n\n### State Swimming & Diving Champions (Items 2E–2I)\n\n**The Woodlands High School** (Introduced by Dr. Landry and Coach Jeremy Wade):\n\n**Boys Team** — District and Regional Champions; 3rd place overall at state meet\n- **200 Medley Relay — State Champions:** Ryan Rottenbach (Sr., committed to Texas A&M), Tyler Tannenberger (Sr., committed to University of Michigan), Wesley Foster (Jr.), Jackson Lendall (Sr., committed to Lee University)\n- **Tyler Tannenberger** — Individual state champion, 100 breaststroke; new school record holder\n- **Jacob Jones** — Senior; state champion, 1-meter diving; committed to University of Texas\n- All three boys relay teams achieved All-American times; 9 individual All-American considerations\n- Boys varsity team GPA: **3.573**\n- Tyler Tannenberger and Jackson Lendall named Academic All-State and Academic All-American\n\n**Girls Team — Back-to-Back State Champions** (12th state title in program history)\n- **Zoe Nordman** — Senior; 500 freestyle state champion; new school record; committed to Northwestern; the Nordman name holds 9 of 12 school records; Academic All-State and All-American\n- Complete team effort: all three relay teams on podium (200 medley relay – 2nd; 400 free relay – 2nd; 200 free relay – 3rd)\n- 15 individual All-American qualifying events\n- **Girls team roster recognized:** Peyton Conn (Fr.), Nelly Gamello (Fr.), Lily Watts (Fr.), Brooke Miller (So.), Witty Malloy (So., bronze medal diving), Michaela Conn (Jr., Academic All-State), Sophia Cristal (Sr.), Kaylee Radford (Sr., Incarnate Word), Caroline Frazier (Sr., Purdue, Academic All-State/All-American), Maria Uranga (Sr., Dartmouth, Academic All-State/All-American – absent), Evelyn Riter (Sr., 100 breaststroke silver medal, Academic All-State/All-American), Zoe Nordman (Sr.)\n- Girls varsity team GPA: **3.794** (21-member roster)\n\nPresident Hubert (former Highlander swim mom) noted The Woodlands HS moved from 5th to **3rd place in the UIL Cup** due to wrestling and swimming/diving wins.\n\n---\n\n## Citizen Participation\n\n**Maryanne Horton** — Raised concerns about inequitable Chromebook-to-student ratios across campuses. Cited specific examples: McCullough JH is short ~200 Chromebooks while York JH has ~220 excess; Moorehead has ~375 excess; Peet has ~518 excess; Grand Oaks HS is short ~100 while College Park has ~1,000 excess. Asked if the 2023 bond technology funds would address disparities or if redistribution could be considered. (Related to agenda item 8B)\n\n**April Cy** — Addressed comments made by President Hubert at the previous meeting about rewriting SHAC bylaws. Stated the SHAC bylaws were recently updated to align with Texas Education Code and DSHS guidelines, using the same processes as prior SHACs. Listed current SHAC projects (mental health/suicide prevention, opioid/fentanyl awareness, recess times, bullying). Expressed concern that the board is attempting to silence parent voices. Asked board members to have open minds during bylaws discussion.\n\n**Scott Nelson** — Expressed concern about a CISD policy he believes keeps pronoun/gender discussions between students and teachers confidential from parents. Warned this puts the district on a \"slippery slope.\" Dr. Null clarified during the comment period that **no such policy exists** in Conroe ISD, and that assistant principals and counselors are trained to include parents. The referenced situation was from approximately four years ago and was addressed at that time.\n\n**Bryce Spear** — Criticized President Hubert's stated goal to rewrite SHAC bylaws. Argued the SHAC operates in compliance with Texas Education Code §28.004 and is structurally independent from the district. Described the effort as an attempt to silence parents. Referenced a prior incident where President Hubert allegedly commented that the board wouldn't let 12 people decide policy regarding the cell phone recommendation.\n\n**Melissa Sendler** — Discussed a classroom assignment about Viet Quan (described as \"from bullying target to reality TV star\"). Argued the assignment focuses too much on trauma rather than resilience, grit, and determination. Questioned why schools are teaching students to focus on trauma when adolescent mental health and test scores have been declining.\n\n**Carolyn Nene** — Requested removal of the book *This Is Our Rainbow* from Veterans Memorial Intermediate library. Cited concerns about alternate sexualities, gender ideologies, and content ratings suggesting it is inappropriate for students under 13. Stated she would follow up. Referenced recent primary election results as evidence of grassroots action.\n\n**Teresa Nean** — Criticized the district's quick disposal of removed library books (seven pallets sent to auction). Discussed the November book policy's references to literary/artistic merit and the Pico decision. Specifically defended *The Kite Runner*, arguing the challenged content depicts violence based on power, not sexual content, and teaches about guilt and standing up to bullies.\n\n**Audrey Warner** — Stated she had emailed all board members about a biological male allegedly dressing in women's clothing at Snyder Elementary and received no response. Said she confirmed it was true and learned of a similar situation at Giesinger Elementary. Requested district policy requiring employees to dress according to their biological sex. President Hubert noted he did respond to her email and had an email conversation.\n\n---\n\n## Consent Agenda (Item 4)\n\n**Item 4C pulled** by Trustee Oldenweiler for discussion (Human Resources report / employment of professional personnel).\n\n**Remaining consent agenda items approved:**\n- **Vote: Unanimous (all in favor)**\n\n### Discussion on Pulled Item 4C — Rolling Two-Year Contracts\n\nTrustee Oldenweiler raised questions about the district's practice of rolling two-year contracts for coordinator-level and above administrators:\n- Dr. Null explained the practice is for recruitment and retention of leadership; it is common practice across districts surveyed\n- All educator contracts (including one-year teacher contracts) are Chapter 21/term contracts with legal protections — cannot be non-renewed without cause\n- Trustee Oldenweiler expressed concern that not extending two-year contracts to teachers signals they are \"less than\"\n- Trustee Duncan raised concerns about the board's ability to review administrator contracts before renewal, suggesting the consent agenda process feels like \"rubber stamping\"\n- President Hubert firmly stated the board has **no authority to hire or fire** any teacher or employee — that is solely the superintendent's responsibility; the board either supports or doesn't support the superintendent's recommendations\n- President Hubert cautioned against the board overstepping its bounds into individual personnel decisions\n- Dr. Null noted that non-renewal requires documented cause and a performance improvement process\n\n**Item 4C approved as presented:**\n- **Vote: Unanimous (all in favor)**\n\n---\n\n## Principal Appointments (Items 5A–5E)\n\nDr. Null noted the five recommended principals have a combined **109 years of service** in Conroe ISD.\n\n### 5A — Milam Elementary: Ryan Stepp\n- 23-year CISD veteran; began teaching career at Milam; served in multiple feeder zones; summer school principal experience\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n### 5B — Stewart Elementary: Kristen Belcher\n- Current principal of Lamar Elementary since 2019; replacing retiring principal Dr. Julie English\n- Moving to Conroe feeder zone; will lead a K-6 campus (new challenge)\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n### 5C — Travis Intermediate: Pam Brittain\n- Conroe ISD graduate; 30-year district veteran; previously served as AP at Travis; left to gain elementary experience to prepare for this role\n- All four of her children are Conroe HS graduates\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n### 5D — McCullough Junior High: Joshua Hughes\n- Current principal of Wilkerson Intermediate; replacing retiring principal Jill Hower\n- Recognized for building strong teams and improving academic culture at Wilkerson\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n### 5E — The Woodlands 9th Grade Campus: Dennis Misler\n- 27-year CISD veteran (since 1998); entire career at The Woodlands HS in various configurations\n- Served as summer school principal; Dr. Null shared a personal anecdote from 2000 when a former principal identified Misler as a \"rock star teacher\"\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n*All five appointments were met with enthusiastic applause from attendees.*\n\n---\n\n## Campus Mascot — Janet K. Bartlett Elementary (Item 6A)\n\n- Presented by Dr. Shelley Winkler\n- New principal: Sharita Smith\n- School colors: Maroon and gray (mirroring Stockton Junior High for new feeder zone)\n- Mascot nominations: Bears, Bobcats, Bucks\n- 257 votes out of 900 future students; **Bobcats selected**\n- **Vote: Unanimous — Bartlett Bobcats approved**\n\n---\n\n## Construction Manager at Risk Selections (Items 7A–7E)\n\nAll projects relate to the 2023 bond program. Mr. Foster presented; selection followed a two-step RFQ/RFP process per district policy.\n\n| Item | Project | CM at Risk Selected | Vote |\n|------|---------|-------------------|------|\n| 7A | Oak Ridge HS 9th Grade Campus Renovation | Satterfield & Pontikes | Unanimous |\n| 7B | Snyder, Tough & Collins Renovation | Anslow Bryant (new contractor) | Unanimous |\n| 7C | Armstrong, Austin, Burnham Woods & Broadway Elementary Renovation | Teal Construction (new contractor) | Unanimous |\n| 7D | Deretchin, Kaufman & Oak Ridge Elementary Renovation | GTT | Unanimous |\n| 7E | Milam, Houston & Runyan Elementary Renovation | GTT | Unanimous |\n\nPresident Hubert noted for the public that board members review detailed documents and meet with staff in advance, which is why discussion appears brief during the meeting.\n\n### Capital Improvement Updates (Item 7F)\n\nMr. Foster provided updates:\n- **Safety & Security (2019 Bond):** Final installment; systems being inspected/commissioned; on schedule to complete by end of 2024; will have touched every campus\n- **Bartlett Elementary:** On schedule to open August 2024; interior finishes underway\n- **Flex School #24** (across from River's Edge): Clearing underway; approved Feb. 2024; opens August 2025\n- **Flex School #25** (Evergreen subdivision near 242/1314): Clearing underway; opens August 2025\n- **Conroe High School major renovation:** Current phase (Fine Arts wing and new cafeteria/dining commons) on track; Fine Arts wing turnover planned for summer practices; kitchen/dining ready for August 2024; overall project complete December 2025\n- **Campus Renovations (approved Dec. 2023):** David Elementary roof in progress; summer work planned at David, Lamar, Houser (fire sprinkler), and Rice (all HVAC overhauls); procurement underway\n- **Oak Ridge HS road:** New interior roadway concrete complete; opening **April 1**; final paperwork for ownership transfer in progress; likely last update on the 2019 bond version of this project\n\n---\n\n## RFP/RFQ Awards (Items 8A–8B)\n\n### 8A — Portable Building Moving Services (RFP 24-103)\n- Awarded to: **King House Moving** and **Rideway Transports and Logistics**\n- One-year pricing, auto-renewing for two additional one-year terms (through March 2027)\n- Funded through general fund\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n### 8B — Micro Form Factor Computers (RFQ 24-201)\n- Awarded to: **Dell Technologies** for estimated **$4.7 million** over the life of the bond\n- Replaces teacher/campus employee computers at end of life cycle\n- Funded from 2023 Bond Proposition B ($40 million technology allocation)\n- **Not Chromebooks** — distinction clarified in response to Maryanne Horton's public comment\n- **Chromebook discussion:** Dr. Null explained that Chromebook-to-student ratios vary because individual campus principals make purchasing decisions with their own campus budget funds (including state compensatory funds tied to specific at-risk student populations that cannot be transferred). CISD is **not a 1:1 device district** and is not funded to be one. Every campus has enough Chromebooks for required testing. Board members (Trustees Oldenweiler, Chase, and others) requested a deeper investigation into potential redistribution options.\n- Trustee Chase noted significant price disparity among bidders\n- **Vote: Unanimous**\n\n---\n\n## Financial Reports (Item 9)\n\nPresented by Miss Garza:\n\n**Balance Sheet (as of Feb. 29, 2024):**\n- General Fund total assets: $46.7M\n- Debt Service: $77.2M\n- Child Nutrition: $16M\n- Self-Funded Insurance: $13.8M\n\n**Income Statement:**\n- General Fund: Revenue $477.9M; Expenses $275M\n- Debt Service: Revenue $139.0M; Expenses $119.8M\n- Child Nutrition: Revenue $17.8M; Expenses $15.5M\n- Self-Funded Insurance: Revenue $27.8M; Expenses $24.8M\n\n**2019 Bond Referendum:** $27.2M estimated to complete; most projects winding down\n\n**2023 Bond Referendum (first update):** All but 3 projects have begun spending; $123M total expended/encumbered to date; $1.8 billion remaining; $595M of approved bond sold to date\n\n**Self-Funded Insurance:** Running a surplus of just under **$2.5 million** for the year. Dr. Null noted the Employee Benefits Committee is working on a plan to return savings to employees; update expected at April workshop.\n\n**Investments:** Par value ~$1.2 billion; combined portfolio yield 5.39%; benchmark (90-day T-bill) at 5.27%\n\n**Contingency Fund ($18M set aside for potential bond overruns):** Confirmed **untouched**; will be returned to the general fund, likely at April or May meeting. This resolution was originally approved in November 2022.\n\n**Incoming CFO Karen** was nicknamed **\"CFO 2.0\"** by the community collaborative group (takes over in June).\n\n*No motion required — informational item.*\n\n---\n\n## Discussion Items (Item 10)\n\n### 10A — Library Book Reconsideration/Complaint Process\n\n**Brought by Trustee Chase.** Discussion focused on three issues:\n\n1. **Informal reconsideration process concerns:** Trustee Chase expressed concern that the informal process allows a few people (including potentially outside interests) to influence book removals without sufficient oversight or appeal process, placing undue burden on librarians. She advocated that all challenges should go through formal reconsideration with ultimate board responsibility.\n\n2. **Lack of recourse for those who object to book removals:** Parents contacted Trustee Chase wanting to know their options if they disagreed with a book being removed through informal reconsideration. Miss Gattis (district counsel) confirmed that the existing **complaint policy (FNG)** could be used — a person who disagrees with a removal can file a complaint within 15 days of when they knew or should have known of the action.\n\n3. **Transparency improvements requested:**\n   - Add a **\"reason for removal\" column** to the library website list (e.g., \"low readership,\" \"did not meet selection criteria #4,\" etc.)\n   - Add language to the **FAQ section** of the library website directing people to the complaint process if they disagree with a removal\n   - Update the website on a **regular monthly schedule** so the public knows when to check and the 15-day complaint window is clear\n\n**Outcome:** Dr. Null committed to implementing the website changes (reason column, FAQ update, regular update schedule). **No formal vote required** — staff will implement procedurally. Miss Gattis stated she would bring back draft FAQ revisions. Trustee Chase's suggestion to add complaint process language directly into policies EFA/EFB was not adopted; Miss Gattis advised against it as not best practice, recommending the website FAQ approach instead.\n\n### 10B — SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) Bylaws\n\n**Brought by President Hubert.** This item generated the most contentious discussion of the evening.\n\n**President Hubert's position:**\n- The board never formally approved SHAC bylaws\n- Observed issues with SHAC operations: excessive/unrestricted information requests burdening staff, 10 subcommittees created without board guidance, removal of voting rights for district employee members, and potential conflicts with substitute teachers serving as \"parent\" representatives while being district employees\n- Wants the board to provide guardrails: define scope/goals, establish data request protocols, and formalize bylaws\n- Referenced outside counsel (Ellen Spalding) confirming the board has authority to set bylaws for an advisory body\n\n**Trustee Oldenweiler/Duncan/Nelson's position:**\n- Disclosed that three trustees (Oldenweiler, Duncan, Nelson) **filed a request for an opinion from the Texas Attorney General** questioning whether the board has legal authority to write SHAC bylaws\n- Argued SHAC is a \"council\" (not a \"committee\") established by Texas Education Code §28.004, structurally independent from the district\n- Argued the board should wait for the AG's opinion before acting\n\n**President Hubert's response:**\n- Expressed strong disapproval of the AG filing being presented at the meeting without prior notice to the full board, calling it \"theatrics\" and \"highly inappropriate\"\n- Stated the AG filing does not change the board's ability to address the bylaws\n\n**Trustee Williams:**\n- Expressed frustration that any committee/council is being allowed to dictate work to district staff without proper protocols\n- Emphasized that no individual board member or committee member has authority to direct staff — only the board collectively, through the superintendent\n\n**Trustee Chase:**\n- Urged removing emotions from the discussion\n- Requested specifics: clearer presentation of SHAC annual goals, defined data request process (single point of contact), and better communication between SHAC and the board\n\n**Outcome:** President Hubert directed **Miss Gattis to work with SHAC co-chairs and interested board members** to draft revised, simplified bylaws (suggested reducing from ~9-10 pages to ~5) incorporating:\n- Defined goals and scope\n- Data request process/protocols\n- Communication procedures to the board\n- To be brought back to the board for review and potential approval\n\n**No formal vote taken** — this was a discussion item. The AG opinion request remains pending.\n\n---\n\n## Executive Session\n\nThe board entered closed session at **9:34 PM** pursuant to Texas Government Code sections 551.071, 551.072, and 551.074.\n\n---\n\n## Return to Open Session\n\nUpon return, a motion was made, seconded, and approved (details not fully captured in transcript).\n\n---\n\n## Key Takeaways\n\n- **Forbes #37 ranking** among all large U.S. employers is a significant achievement driven by employee satisfaction surveys\n- **Multiple state championships** recognized in wrestling and swimming/diving\n- **Five new principals named** — all long-tenured CISD veterans (combined 109 years of service)\n- **Bartlett Elementary mascot:** Bobcats (maroon and gray)\n- **Five construction managers at risk** selected for 2023 bond renovation projects\n- **Chromebook equity** across campuses flagged as a concern; district committed to investigating redistribution options\n- **Library book removal process** will gain transparency: reason columns, FAQ updates, and monthly website updates; complaint process (FNG) identified as recourse for those objecting to removals\n- **SHAC bylaws** remain the most contentious issue; revised bylaws to be drafted collaboratively and brought back to the board; AG opinion request filed by three trustees is pending\n- **$18M bond contingency fund** was untouched and will be returned to the general fund\n- **Self-funded insurance surplus** of ~$2.5M; plan to return savings to employees expected at April workshop"
}