April 23, 2024 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2024-04-23
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 16:55 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Meeting
April 23, 2024 – Regular Meeting
These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript and may contain errors or omissions.
Attendance & Opening
Parent Co-Chair Bryce Spear called the meeting to order. Members introduced themselves, representing various feeder zones, campus administrators, health services staff, PE coordinators, and parents.
Dr. Mark Morell (Principal, College Park High School) was congratulated on his new appointment as District Co-Chair of SHAC, replacing a prior district representative. He noted he had only been in the role since the previous Tuesday.
Secretary Tori was absent due to another engagement.
Approval of Minutes
Several members noted their names were missing from the previous meeting's minutes due to not signing in (including members and Erica). Corrections were noted.
Vote to approve minutes (as amended):
- Motion: Zamira | Second: Dana
- Result: Approved unanimously
Community Feedback
No emails were received through the SHAC email address. Nothing to report.
Agenda Reordering
A motion was made to move Action Item #5 (Tucker Law/HB 3908 recommendation) ahead of subcommittee updates, as a member needed to leave early.
Vote to reorder agenda:
- Result: Approved (no opposition noted)
Action Item: HB 3908 (Tucker Law) – CATCH Curriculum for Fentanyl & Drug Abuse Prevention (Grades 6-12)
Background
Mr. Wade Haymark (Coordinator, PE & Health) presented on the CATCH Health Ed Journeys 6-8 program as a proposed instructional resource to fulfill House Bill 3908 (Tucker Law) requirements. Tucker Law has four components:
1. Suicide prevention
2. Prevention of abuse/addiction to fentanyl
3. Awareness of local school community resources
4. Health education on substance use/abuse
Dr. Spear had sent review materials to all SHAC members on April 14, including CATCH resources, parent account access, and a feedback form. Five SHAC members submitted feedback. A full-access license was secured from CATCH for the committee's review.
Key note: CATCH is developing a high school-specific program expected next school year. Currently, CISD has CATCH licenses for K-5 programs at all elementary campuses and coordination kits for elementary, intermediate, and junior high.
Parent/Member Feedback on Curriculum
Positive feedback included:
- Information presented in a developmentally appropriate way
- Good clarification between prescription drugs, OTC drugs, and illicit drugs
- Fentanyl fact slides described as "very informative and age appropriate"
- Value in including suicide awareness information
Key Concern: Two Suicide Slides for 6th Grade
Significant discussion centered on two slides about suicide warning signs included in the fentanyl facts presentation for grades 6-12. Multiple members expressed concerns:
- April Kuy (parent): Felt the suicide slides were out of place with the rest of the fentanyl content and too heavy for 6th graders. The immediate jump to language about "killing yourself" was too stark. Noted other materials sent had no suicide content.
- Dr. Paula Kesy (Principal, Mitchell Intermediate): Disagreed, calling it "a soft approach to suicide" and noting suicide issues do occur at intermediate campuses.
- Reed Davidson (parent): Agreed the slides jumped too abruptly to suicide content without a segue.
- Multiple members noted the warning signs listed were very ambiguous for a 6th grader (e.g., sleeping too much/too little).
Discussion on SHAC's Role Under HB 3908
Dr. Spear clarified that the SHAC's specific responsibility under HB 3908 is recommending "appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding the dangers of opioids." He argued suicide content was not specifically what SHAC was being asked to evaluate tonight.
Mr. Haymark countered that Tucker Law includes suicide prevention as one of four components and he was trying to find a comprehensive resource covering all components.
Discussion on Implementation
- Question raised: Will parents be notified before this content is presented? Answer: Not yet determined; tonight's focus was on approving the curriculum resource.
- Question: Who will teach it? Answer: Likely PE teachers at intermediate/junior high levels, but principals will decide. Counseling and health services could also be involved.
Dr. Medford (district administrator) provided important clarification:
- The CATCH materials serve as a resource/framework, not a rigid slide deck shown verbatim to students
- Teachers would receive training and develop lessons using the resource
- Campus administrators and teachers would use professional discretion on what's appropriate for their specific students and grade levels
- Scope and sequence would be developed after board approval, differentiating by grade level
Dr. Morell (College Park HS) stated his campus would not just show these two slides — they would incorporate suicide into a broader mental health and mental wellness unit, separate from the drugs/opioids lesson.
First Motion: Table Until June
Dr. Spear moved to table the item until June, requesting:
- Concerns be addressed with additional information
- A sample draft board item be prepared
- Grade-level specific curriculum details
Vote to table until June:
- Motion: Bryce Spear | Second: (noted)
- In favor: 7
- Opposed: 17
- Result: MOTION FAILED
Alternative Proposal and Second Motion
Dr. Stickler (guest/non-member) suggested approving the purchase of the CATCH program but withholding approval for specific grade-level implementation, allowing curriculum and instruction to begin development while bringing grade-specific plans back to SHAC for review.
Second Motion: Approve the CATCH resource, with the understanding that grade-specific developed curriculum will be brought back to SHAC for review.
Vote to approve CATCH resource:
- In favor: 23
- Opposed: 0
- Abstentions: 0
- Result: MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
SHAC Subcommittee Updates
Compliance Subcommittee
- Opioids: Just addressed above
- Suicide toolkit: To be discussed further
- Daily recess: Data being collected; will be presented in June
- Vaping: Has not started yet
Membership
- Membership application process kicks off May 1 through June 30
- Will be advertised on campuses, social media, and through the district
Mental Health / Bullying Work Group
- Dr. Taylor's guidance and counseling department is:
- Creating a bullying survey
- Developing a supplemental closed-loop communication form for Policy FFI implementation
- Dr. Spear expressed pride in the collaboration and outcomes
Family Changes
- Following the Clark model for implementation at other schools
- Progress being made; April Heron's group moving forward
Staff Wellness
- Met with Teresa Rodriguez regarding a 24/7 mental health hotline (free, regardless of insurance)
- Timing with Mental Health Awareness Month
- Exploring ways to build camaraderie among school staff
- Researching volunteer involvement/logging programs
Mental Health Toolkit
- Mental health toolkit distributed to guidance counselors
- Lindsay Taylor following up to ensure distribution to campus principals for Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
- Working on a similar toolkit for September (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month)
- Guidance and counseling developing toolkits for various awareness weeks/months (suicide, bullying, online safety, relationship safety)
- Planning community events on these topics
Girls Academic Success Work Group
- Reviewed district data:
- No difference between girls and boys taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade
- More boys taking Geometry (though small numbers overall)
- New state law requires students scoring 60%+ on 5th grade math STAAR to enter advanced math in 6th grade; CISD starting a year earlier (5th grade)
- Next steps: Parent education on how early math choices affect high school tracks
- Setting up a call with Miss Matthew from Project Mentor to explore mentoring and STEM focus for girls
Other Subcommittees
- Alternative & Supplemental Health Curriculum: No meetings/updates this year
- Physical Activity & Fitness: No updates
Bylaws Review – Major Discussion
Background
Dr. Spear reported receiving newly proposed bylaws from Miss Gladus (District Legal Counsel) on Thursday, April 18. These are entirely new bylaws, not amendments to the existing ones (which were last updated/approved April 2023).
Dr. Spear framed the discussion around two questions:
1. How do the proposed changes impact SHAC's ability to improve student health and wellness?
2. How do the proposed changes impact SHAC's ability to ensure local community values are reflected?
Major Concerns Raised
1. Membership Reduction & Process (Section C)
- New bylaws would reduce SHAC to 21 members (currently 48)
- Board members limited to appointing 2 parents each (14 parents total)
- Superintendent would appoint 7 non-parent members and finalize the full roster
- No clear application process specified (only "interest will be solicited")
- No feeder zone representation requirements
- Dr. Spear noted this contradicts the board's prior position of "we don't turn parents away" and removes the transparent application process developed over the past two years
- Multiple members expressed concern about reduced community representation
- One member (clergy) noted they would be excluded entirely under the new bylaws as community members without students in the district
2. Board Setting SHAC Priorities (Section B)
- New bylaws would have the Board of Trustees set SHAC priorities at the September meeting
- Members argued this would prevent SHAC from addressing emerging concerns (e.g., bullying, cell phones, girls' academic success — all current initiatives that arose organically)
- Adding new work would require going through SHAC → District → Board for approval
- Multiple members called this restrictive and contrary to SHAC's advisory purpose
- Dr. Morell suggested this could work if language were added clarifying SHAC is not limited to only board-assigned priorities
3. Meeting Conduct Restrictions (Section 7/Governance)
- Robert's Rules of Order would govern meetings, with members required to be recognized by the presiding officer before speaking
- Members argued this would stifle the collaborative, open discussion format that has been productive
- Non-members and subject matter experts (like Dr. Stickler's contribution tonight) would not be able to participate
- Public comment appears to be eliminated
- Multiple members expressed offense at the implication that conduct needed to be controlled
4. Meeting Times (Regular Meetings)
- New bylaws specify meetings "shall occur during the CISD business day"
- Members argued this would exclude working parents and limit participation
- Historical context: Current 4:30 PM time was selected based on member polling and worked for both district schedule and parent availability
5. Reporting to the Board
- New bylaws appear to designate the employee co-chair (district appointee) to present recommendations to the board
- Dr. Spear argued a parent should represent the group since parents are the majority
- Dr. Morell agreed, suggesting it should be the best person for any given item, not restricted to one role
6. Similarity to Tomball ISD Bylaws
- Dr. Spear noted the proposed bylaws are 70% similar to Tomball ISD's bylaws
- He reported reaching out to Tomball SHAC members, who indicated the same points of contention have caused difficulties for their council
Member Sentiments
- Sabrina Yamani reflected on how SHAC's current collaborative, open structure attracted her involvement and has been productive for students
- One member noted this appears to limit rather than enhance parent voice
- Girls Academic Success work group lead expressed concern about flexibility — their work evolved organically from data analysis, which wouldn't be possible under rigid board-set priorities
- A suggestion was made for a joint workshop between SHAC and the Board to foster collaboration
Outcome
- This was a feedback item, not a voting item
- Dr. Spear committed to compiling all concerns raised and submitting them to Miss Gladus
- He noted that attempts to collaborate with the district legal officer and board on the bylaws "were not welcome"
Triennial Wellness Policy Assessment – Presentation
Miss Robertson provided a brief overview of the federally mandated wellness policy triennial assessment:
Key Points:
- Wellness policy is required because CISD participates in the federal breakfast/lunch program
- Governed by three documents: FFA Legal, FFA Local, and the Wellness Plan
- Triennial assessment (required every 3 years) evaluates:
1. Campus compliance with local wellness policy
2. Comparison to a model wellness policy
3. Progress on wellness goals
4. Updates to policy and plan as needed
Assessment Process:
- Campuses self-score using a Wellness Plan Assessment Scorecard
- Seven questions aligned to Wellness Plan goals
- Scored as: Fully Implemented, Partially Implemented, Under Development, or Not Applicable
- Using the WellSAT 3.0 tool (University of Connecticut/Rudd Center) for model policy comparison
- Will compare to the 2020-2021 triennial assessment results
Timeline:
- Results will be presented to SHAC in June
- Members were told they will have homework — the assessment results will be distributed in advance and members are expected to review them before the June meeting
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: Elizabeth | Second: (noted)
- Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:16 PM
Key Action Items for June Meeting
| Item | Details |
|------|---------|
| CATCH grade-level curriculum | District to bring back grade-specific implementation plans for SHAC review |
| Bylaws feedback | Dr. Spear to compile and submit all concerns to Miss Gladus |
| Triennial assessment results | Will be distributed in advance; deep-dive discussion planned |
| Suicide prevention curriculum | Further discussion expected on age-appropriate instruction by grade level |
| Membership process | Application window: May 1 – June 30 |
| Daily recess data | Mr. Haymark to present collected data |