January 28, 2025 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2025-01-28
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 17:58 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe ISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) Meeting
January 28, 2025 — Regular Meeting
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript of the meeting. They are not official minutes of the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees but rather a meeting of the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), which reports to the Board.
Attendance & Opening
Facilitator (pre-officer election): Mark Merl, Executive Director of Operations
A roll call was conducted for the large group. Approximately 55+ members were present, including parents, teachers, nurses, counselors, administrators, and district staff. A quorum was confirmed.
Key district staff/advisors present:
- Bethany Medford, Deputy Superintendent
- Sarah Blakelock, Communications Director
- Barbara Robertson, Director of Health Services
- Robin Hughes, Director of Child Nutrition
- Wade Haymark, Coordinator of PE and Health
- Lindsay Taylor, Mental Health Specialist (Guidance & Counseling)
- Dana Fischer, Health Services Specialist
Board President's Welcome (Video Message)
Board President Odenweller delivered remarks via video, as she was unable to attend in person. Key points:
- Thanked members for volunteering their time
- Noted SHAC is a parent-led council that reports directly to the Board of Trustees
- Raised an administrative concern from the Superintendent: Requests for information or data from SHAC to district staff should be directed through the Board President (Odenweller), not directly to staff
- Expressed excitement about the collaboration and recommendations expected from SHAC this year
Deputy Superintendent Remarks
Dr. Bethany Medford thanked members for their time commitment and travel, stated the district is there to serve and work with SHAC, and welcomed the group's productivity.
Item 3: Approval of October 8, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Motion to approve: Christina Davis-Kanam
Second: Jennifer Blackman
Discussion:
- A member requested clarifying language be added to the motion that was approved under HB 3908 (Tucker's Law / opioid education curriculum) at the October meeting.
- Clarification provided: The October motion approved the CATCH curriculum for grade 6, with slide 8 (a suicide-related slide) to be skipped/omitted during presentation. For grades 7–12, the curriculum remained the same. Because it was a purchased/boxed curriculum, the slide could not be deleted but counselors were instructed to skip over it.
- The member agreed to approve the minutes with this amended/clarifying language added.
Vote (Roll Call):
- Approved — Majority voted in favor
- Abstentions: Multiple members who were not present at the October meeting abstained (Brenda Cooper, Aaron Miller, Steven Powell, Fola Ad[e], Mila Cobbler, Erica Falcon, Dana Fischer, Rachel Jones, Laura Lenson, Mel Middleton, Victoria Reed, Margaret Sachs)
- No votes against
- Outcome: Minutes approved with clarifying language amendment
Item: Community Feedback Summary
Dr. Merl reported on emails received through SHAC's public email address:
1. Membership question — Responded regarding normal membership process and timeline
2. Latex in cafeteria — Question about use of latex gloves and latex balloons for students with allergies. Response: The district uses alternatives and vinyl gloves as well.
3. Wellness Plan question — Regarding food and physical activity used as punishment/reward. Addressed with the individual and the campus.
Item: Selection of Parent Officers
Chair
- Nomination: Dr. Bryce Spear — Nominated by April Kirby, who cited Dr. Spear's excellent leadership over the previous two years, her facilitation skills, respect for members' time, and professional representation of SHAC to the Board.
- Dr. Spear accepted the nomination. No other nominations were made.
Discussion on term limits:
- A member raised questions about whether bylaws limit consecutive terms for officers.
- Clarification provided: The current bylaws (reinstated by the new Board in November 2024) do not contain term limits for officer positions. They only state officers are elected each year. The previous bylaws (adopted August 2024, used at October meeting) had contained some term limit language but those bylaws were replaced.
- It was noted that the bylaws subcommittee could take up officer term limits as a future discussion item.
Discussion on bylaws history:
- The previous Board adopted bylaws in August 2024; those were in effect for the October meeting.
- The new Board, in November 2024, reverted to earlier bylaws and also made a one-time adjustment allowing all previous SHAC members and those who had applied under prior bylaws to return, resulting in membership exceeding the 31-member cap stated in bylaws.
- Members were informed that SHAC can recommend bylaw changes to the Board, but the Board ultimately decides.
Motion to elect Dr. Bryce Spear as Chair: Ashley Heinen
Second: Tina Araujo
Vote (Roll Call):
- Unanimously approved — All members present voted yes (Dr. Spear voted for herself as well)
- Outcome: Dr. Bryce Spear elected as SHAC Chair
Co-Chair
- No nominations or volunteers. The group decided not to fill the co-chair position at this time. If Dr. Spear cannot attend a meeting, someone will be designated to lead.
Secretary
- Ryan (last name not stated in transcript) had served as secretary since October. He was unable to attend due to illness.
- No other nominations. The group agreed to continue Ryan in the secretary role without a formal vote, given he was already in position and no one else volunteered.
- A member later noted Ryan had expressed interest in possibly running for co-chair; Dr. Spear clarified he was elected secretary and would need to resign that position to be considered for another. This can be revisited at a future meeting if needed.
Item: Wellness Plan Review and Discussion
Background (presented by Dr. Merl and Barbara Robertson):
- A triennial wellness assessment was conducted last spring (as required every 3 years for districts receiving federal lunch program funding).
- The assessment used the WellSAT 3.0 tool (from Rutgers University) to evaluate the district's wellness policy (FFA legal, FFA local) and wellness plan.
- The assessment revealed weaknesses/gaps in several areas (multiple zero scores noted).
- District staff (Robertson, Hughes, Haymark, Fischer) independently scored and then collaboratively compared results — scores were very consistent.
- The current Wellness Plan (created during COVID-era return to school) remains in effect until a new plan is adopted. There is no federal deadline for completing a new plan — only the triennial assessment is required.
- The October 2024 SHAC meeting included breakout groups that worked on a draft revised Wellness Plan; those groups continued working online afterward, and a draft was distributed to current members.
- Any new plan adopted would take effect for the 2025–2026 school year; the current plan will be used for evaluating campuses for the remainder of the 2024–2025 school year.
Discussion — Key Concerns Raised:
1. Goal 6 (PE requirements): Susan Moore (music teacher) asked about an undefined asterisk in the draft language about 30 minutes daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity vs. 135 minutes weekly for PreK–6. Wade Haymark confirmed the asterisk appears to be a typo; the language mirrors TEA guidance that campuses can choose either standard.
2. Campus scheduling/safety concerns: Dr. Kesy (principal) noted that her campus cannot safely schedule 30 minutes daily PE due to enrollment size and facilities. Texas Education Code allows alternatives (e.g., 225 minutes over two weeks with block scheduling). Her campus exceeds this with 275 minutes over two weeks.
3. Implementation gaps in current plan: Brent Maddox raised concerns that the current Wellness Plan contains goals that are not being followed in practice. He cited the example of food safety requirements — the plan and handbooks say all food provided to students must be store-bought or from commercial kitchens, yet at least one high school principal and assistant superintendent have permitted homemade food from other students' parents, contradicting this policy. He argued the group should first identify where the current plan fails before creating a new one.
4. Food/physical activity as reward/punishment: A member noted the WellSAT scored the district on policies about using food or physical activity as rewards/punishments, but the draft plan removed or weakened that language. Concerns raised about equity for students with physical disabilities.
5. Compliance concerns: Dr. Spear stated she reviewed FFA local policy and has concerns about whether the draft plan fully complies with legal requirements, particularly regarding benchmarks and district standards for food and beverages. She noted having a master's in health law and policy.
6. Feasibility concerns: A member (Kim Cameron) urged the group to be realistic about recommendations given funding constraints — the general allotment hasn't changed since 2019 and the state has withheld potential funding.
7. Not all members had adequate time to review: Several members noted they had not had sufficient time to compare the old plan, new draft, and triennial assessment data.
Motion to Table:
Motion: To table the Wellness Plan approval and form a work group to review the plan with the intent of presenting a completed, comprehensive plan at the March SHAC meeting.
Moved by: (Member — name unclear from transcript)
Second: (Member — name unclear from transcript)
Discussion on the motion:
- Members requested that work group meetings be scheduled at accessible times so teachers and working parents can participate
- Dr. Spear committed to sending a Google poll for scheduling, using shared documents for asynchronous input, and holding multiple meeting opportunities
- District confirmed the current plan remains in effect and there is no compliance risk from tabling
- District confirmed a plan approved in March could still be implemented for the 2025–2026 school year
Vote (Roll Call):
- Approved — Near-unanimous in favor
- One abstention: Erica Falcon
- No votes against
- Outcome: Wellness Plan review tabled; work group to be formed with goal of presenting revised plan at March 2025 SHAC meeting
Item: SHAC Subcommittees
Per the bylaws, four standing subcommittees exist:
1. Membership
2. Bylaws
3. Physical Activity and Fitness
4. Compliance
Additionally, based on member interest:
5. Mental Health / Suicide Awareness & Prevention — to be added to the sign-up survey
Dr. Spear will send a Google poll/sign-up sheet for members to indicate interest. Key points:
- Members can join one, none, or multiple subcommittees
- Subcommittees are not closed — any SHAC member can provide feedback even if not formally on the subcommittee
- Attendance at every subcommittee meeting is not required
- Each subcommittee will have a parent chair
Requests for Future Agenda Items
1. Cell Phone Policy Review — Brent Maddox and others requested revisiting the cell phone work from two years ago, citing new technologies, studies, and implementation concerns. Specifically, Maddox noted that parents cannot restrict their children's phone access at school when teachers are using phones as part of classroom instruction.
- Dr. Kesy cautioned that the previous cell phone work was extensive and the policy is still relatively new; she recommended first gathering implementation data from campuses before reopening the policy.
- Dr. Spear agreed and will coordinate with Dr. Medford (who led the district cell phone committee) to gather campus implementation data for the March meeting.
2. Bullying — A member noted that work on bullying had started previously and suggested continuing that effort.
3. District/Administrative Input — A member asked whether district staff or administrators have identified areas they feel are weak or in need of SHAC attention, suggesting the district share those priorities.
SHAC Communication Reminder
Dr. Spear reiterated the Board President's directive:
- All requests for information or data from the district must go through Dr. Spear (Chair), who will route them to Board President Odenweller
- This is per the Superintendent's expressed concern about direct requests to district staff
Dr. Spear noted she is available by email anytime and encouraged members to reach out.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn: Made and seconded (members not clearly identified)
Vote: Approved by voice/acclamation
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 PM
Summary of Key Actions & Outcomes
| Item | Action | Outcome |
|------|--------|---------|
| October 2024 Minutes | Vote to approve with clarifying language on HB 3908/CATCH curriculum | Approved (multiple abstentions from absent members) |
| SHAC Chair Election | Dr. Bryce Spear nominated and elected | Approved unanimously |
| SHAC Co-Chair | No nominations | Position left vacant |
| SHAC Secretary | Ryan continued in role | Retained by consensus |
| Wellness Plan | Motion to table and form work group | Approved (near-unanimous, 1 abstention) |
| Subcommittees | Sign-up to be distributed via email | Pending |
| Cell Phone Policy | Data on implementation to be gathered for March meeting | Pending |
| Communication Protocol | All data/info requests to go through Chair → Board President | Noted |
Next Meeting: March 2025 (specific date TBD)
Expected agenda items:
- Wellness Plan work group presentation and potential approval
- Cell phone policy implementation data review
- Subcommittee reports
- Suicide awareness/prevention discussion
- Bullying policy continuation