March 18, 2025 — Regular Meeting
Conroe ISD Board Meeting — 2025-03-18
Regular Meeting — Unofficial Notes
Based on auto-generated transcript. Not an official record.
Generated 2026-03-28 18:09 UTC
Unofficial Meeting Notes
Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees — Regular Meeting
March 18, 2025
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors or omissions. For official minutes, please consult the district.
Meeting Called to Order
- Time: 6:02 PM
- Quorum confirmed; meeting posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act
- Invocation: Board President Oldenweller
- Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Trustee Suler (spelling approximate)
- Colors presented by: Conroe High School Army JROTC Color Guard under Captain Kevin Williams
Item 2: Special Recognitions
The Woodlands High School — Swim & Dive
- Introduced by: Jim Rapp, Athletic Coordinator/Head Football Coach (recently named Woodlands Hometown Hero)
- Head Swim Coach Jeremy Wade (9 seasons) recognized the program's success and thanked support staff, Athletic Director Coach Ferris, and the Natatorium staff
- Coach Kevin Whit (Aquatic Coordinator/District Diving Coach, named State Diving Coach of the Year):
- 12 CISD divers across all six high schools qualified for National High School All-America honors
- 6 state qualifiers (3 boys, 3 girls) — all from CISD; all 6 finaled at state
- Shannon Waldren (sophomore, The Woodlands): Won the 6A State Diving Championship; undefeated in all meets this season; also won District 13, Region 4, and TISCA Gold championships; previously a National HS All-American as a freshman
- Note: One additional Woodlands swimmer was to be recognized but was on a college visit; will be recognized at a future meeting
- Note: Coach Rayome's daughter from The Woodlands was mentioned as a three-time state wrestling champion (114 lbs) but was not present
College Park High School — Wrestling (4 Individual State Champions)
- Introduced by: Principal Robert McFarland
- Head Wrestling Coach Eric Spute recognized assistant coaches Lindsay Spute and Kenneth Mark, and parents
State Champions recognized:
1. Landry Von Goden (sophomore) — Two-time state champion; 38-1 record; National Champion at preseason nationals in Des Moines; ranked 7th nationally; 3.95 GPA; opportunity to become school's first four-time state champion
2. Logan Milsaps (junior) — State champion at 150 lbs; three-time state placer; 45 wins this season, 104 career victories; 4.2 weighted GPA; won state final in overtime vs. defending freestyle national champion
3. Anna Vote (senior) — Two-time state champion; four-time state placer; ranked 13th nationally; eight-time USA Wrestling All-American; signed with Oklahoma City University (nursing); 3.5 GPA
4. Caillou Aaron (senior) — Two-time state champion; three-time state finalist; five-time All-American; Brazilian national champion; Pan-American bronze medalist; 7th at World Championships in Spain; 4.3 weighted GPA; signed with California Baptist University (Big 12, biomedical engineering)
- Girls team finished 2nd at state; boys team finished 3rd at state
- Board President congratulated all athletes, praised their academic achievements and parental support
Item 3: Public Participation (8 speakers)
Blue Bonnet Curriculum (7 speakers opposed)
Christina Smith (parent of 4 special education/dyslexic students):
- Concerned about lack of small group instruction in Blue Bonnet curriculum
- Material doesn't appear grade-level appropriate
- No teacher feedback was sought before approval
Melissa Martin (25+ year CISD teacher, 3rd/4th grade):
- Read a 4th grade writing prompt she deemed not age-appropriate
- Cited a 4th grade unit book (Letters from Heaven) with religious content as inappropriate for public schools
- Stated zero teachers were allowed to give feedback; called the choice "awful and damaging"
Destiny Milton (former teacher, CISD parent):
- Alleged that board members' speeches supporting Blue Bonnet at the February meeting were generated by ChatGPT; offered printed copies
- Cited concerns about asking kindergartners to sit for 30-minute lessons and inappropriate reading levels (e.g., Don Quixote for 5th graders)
- Called on the board to recall the vote
Kimberly Kepler (parent):
- Cited an online petition with 1,256 signatures opposing Blue Bonnet
- Noted $12 million budget shortfall and $2+ million cost to implement
- Questioned board members' campaign pledge of financial responsibility
- Raised First Amendment/church-state concerns about Bible-infused content
- Asked how teachers of various faiths would handle religious questions from students
Diane Daniels:
- Stated the curriculum was not reviewed by teachers
- Called vocabulary inappropriate for target ages
- Alleged board members relied on talking points rather than personal review
- Thanked Trustees Horton and Suler (approximate spelling) for voting no
Susan Scruggs:
- Criticized shutdown of teacher review committee
- Alleged curriculum contains CRT, SEL, and DEI content
- Noted 7 State Board of Education members voted against Blue Bonnet
- Called for teacher input
Amy Poa (CISD parent and teacher):
- Was selected for curriculum review committee that was bypassed
- Argued students need reading practice time, which Blue Bonnet lacks
- Cited unrealistic 40-minute lesson expectations
- Raised church-state separation concerns
- Stated curriculum lacks adequate phonics, editing, and revising components
Other Public Comments
Jeff Zedler:
- Spoke about gender identity issues in schools
- Referenced HB 2258 legislation on social transitioning
- Praised Blue Bonnet relative to other content concerns
Michelle Knuckles:
- Read explicit passages from books Queer F* and Wonderfully Made (found at Grand Oaks and Oak Ridge high schools) and Queer* (Grand Oaks)
- Questioned why Slaughterhouse-Five was removed while these books remain
- Stated a public information request yielded no specific explanation for removal decisions
Item 4: Consent Agenda
- Motion: Moved and seconded
- Vote: Approved 7-0
Item 5: Human Resources — Principal Appointments
5A: Bush Elementary Principal
- Recommendation: Sarah Howard (current assistant principal at Bush)
- Dr. Null noted Bush will be smaller after the Eiser Elementary split; sought a veteran educator
- Motion: Moved and seconded
- Vote: Approved 7-0
- Ms. Howard delivered acceptance remarks, thanking family, mentors, and staff
5B: Collins Intermediate Principal
- Recommendation: Chelsea Harness (current assistant principal at Collins)
- Dr. Null praised Collins as one of the highest-achieving schools in the district; noted internal promotion
- Motion: Moved and seconded
- Vote: Approved 7-0
- Ms. Harness delivered acceptance remarks, recognizing 15 years in the district and mentors
5C: Director of Health Services
- Recommendation: Dana Fiser (current Health Services Coordinator)
- Dr. Null recognized outgoing Director Barbara Robertson (retiring; previously named Texas School Nurse of the Year)
- Motion: Moved and seconded
- Vote: Approved 7-0
- Ms. Fiser delivered acceptance remarks, citing 27-year nursing career and commitment to student health
Item 6: Teaching & Learning — NWEA MAP Assessment Suite
Discussion
Dr. Medford presented the recommendation to adopt the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth and Reading Fluency assessment suite district-wide, following an 18-month study and 6-campus pilot.
Key points from administration:
- MAP would replace approximately 20 days of ELA assessments and 12-15 days of math assessments
- Provides diagnostic, individualized data on student needs
- Predictive of STAR performance (better than previous interim assessments)
- Would not replace quarterly curriculum assessments
- Funded through Instructional Materials Technology Allotment (does not affect general fund)
- Every K-8 principal supported full adoption
- Cost described as a "Cadillac" assessment (~$800,000 implied)
Trustee concerns raised:
- Trustee Horton: Wanted to see correlation between pilot MAP scores and actual STAR results before full adoption; noted lack of teacher feedback survey; concerned about test duration (some pilot teachers reported students taking all day)
- Trustee Suler: Concerned about adding another new initiative alongside new curriculum; wanted extended pilot with more training time and teacher feedback
- Trustee Dunan: Asked whether MAP could replace quarterly assessments (administration said no — different purposes)
- Multiple trustees raised concerns about teacher training adequacy and implementation timeline
Administration responses:
- Training plan: instructional coaches in May, administrators in July, teachers at start of school year
- Time limits will be better communicated (diagnostic nature means extended time doesn't improve results)
- Pilot feedback was "overwhelmingly positive" after initial adjustment period
- Neighboring districts that use MAP have had sustained success
Motions and Votes
1. Trustee Suler moved to amend Trustee Horton's motion to extend the pilot (rather than table) to allow more time for teacher feedback and STAR correlation data — Motion died for lack of a second
2. Trustee Horton moved to table until after STAR results are available (approximately May/June)
- Seconded
- Vote: 4-3 — Motion to table CARRIED
- Item tabled until after STAR results
Item 7A & 7B: Campus Mascots for New Elementary Schools
Middy J. Campbell Elementary
- Colors: Red and blue (honoring Oak Ridge HS and Caney Creek HS)
- Mascot selected by families: Cardinals (59% of 156 families)
- Vote: Approved 7-0
Robert Eiser Elementary
- Colors: Green and gold (Woodlands HS feeder)
- Mascot selected by families: Eagles (58% of 256 families)
- Vote: Approved 7-0
Item 7C: Intruder Detection Audit Update (Mr. McCord)
- 51 campuses audited to date (via Region 6 and TEA)
- 48 campuses (94%) had desired outcome (no findings)
- 1 campus had a finding during an outside assessment in early March
- Corrective action already in motion
- Details to be shared in closed session and with the District Safety & Security Committee in April
Item 7D: Attendance Boundary Committee Update — Timber Mill HS, New Junior High & Intermediate (Mr. McCord)
Key Information:
- Objectives: Establish boundaries for Timber Mill High School (and by extension its feeder pattern), new Conroe-area junior high, and new Conroe-area intermediate, while preserving room for future growth
- Determines which campuses feed into Timber Mill HS, Caney Creek HS, and Conroe HS feeders
- Builds on 2023-2024 elementary rezoning that addressed overcrowding at 7 campuses (including Creighton at 150% capacity)
Process & Timeline:
- Committee meeting: March 20 (Thursday)
- Community presentations: Next Tuesday and Thursday (Conroe HS and Caney Creek HS feeder communities)
- May 13: Board check-in
- July 15: Three zone scenarios to be presented to the board
- Boundary process website launched at 4:00 PM on March 18 — includes maps, current scenarios (8 in play), community feedback portal, FAQs, and ability to submit custom zoning scenarios
- Letters to all parents in affected feeder zones (English and Spanish) to be sent March 19
Campus Capacity Context:
- Conroe HS: 112% capacity (physically full-grown students)
- Conroe 9th Grade Campus: Over capacity; no room for additional portables; no available electricity for expansion ($550K+ to add); can manage through "floating" until 2027
- Caney Creek HS: Facing incoming growth from Sweetwater Ridge, Artavia, Mavera, and Evergreen developments
- Bosman Intermediate: 117% capacity, growing exponentially (second biggest concern)
- Special recognition of Tasha Smith (Conroe HS principal) for patience during years of renovation while operating the 4th largest high school in Texas
New Campus Locations:
- New intermediate (Flex 26) and junior high: Same contiguous property on FM 1314 (east side), near Creighton Road, behind Wilkinson Elementary
- Timber Mill HS: East Loop 336, near Stockton Junior High
- Caney Creek 9th Grade Campus: FM 1485 near 242 — opens August 2027
Item 7E: District Improvement Plan (DIP) Update (Dr. Medford)
Dyslexia Services (Goal 1, PO5):
- Targeting 5% growth at "meets" level for students receiving dyslexia services
- K-2 data showed student reading level progression (e.g., 1st grade: 52 students at level A at BOY → 18 at MOY)
- Trustee noted 2nd grade percentages trending down; expressed concern about meeting the 5% increase goal
Special Education Collaboration (Goal 5, PO3):
- Caney Creek feeder receiving training this year on general ed/special ed teacher collaboration
- Observations and facilitator support ongoing across campuses
Secondary Math (POs 8-10):
- 7th and 8th grade focused on high-priority TEKS (rational numbers, linear relationships)
- QA2 results trending above goals in several targeted TEKS
- Algebra 1 special education students: close to goal in QA1 but saw a dip in QA2; administration reviewing instruction and accommodations
Science (POs 14-15):
- Tracking 5th grade, 8th grade, and biology masters-level growth
- Release STAR scores expected to be lower than QA scores (measures entire curriculum including untaught content)
- Extension opportunities: Science/Engineering Fair (244 projects to regionals), new junior high robotics, FIRST Lego League team going to state, all high schools in biotechnology competition
- RDA accountability tracking for economically disadvantaged, emergent bilingual, and special education subgroups
Item 8: Planning & Construction
8A: CM-at-Risk for Bush & Pohl Elementary Additions
- Selected: Teal Construction (best value)
- 10 RFQ responses → 5 invited to Step 2
- Vote: Approved 7-0
8B: CM-at-Risk for Giesinger, Singer & Reeves Elementary Additions
- Selected: Angelo Bryant (best value; lowest price)
- 9 RFQ responses → 5 invited to Step 2
- Angelo Bryant submitted same team for both 8A and 8B packages, so could only be awarded one
- Vote: Approved 7-0
8C: CM-at-Risk for Irons, Peet, York & Conroe 9th Grade Renovations
- Selected: Angelo Bryant (different team than 8B; lowest bidder)
- 6 RFQ responses → 5 invited to Step 2
- Vote: Approved 7-0
8D: Capital Improvement Updates (Mr. Foster)
| Project | Status | Target Opening |
|---|---|---|
| Conroe HS Renovation (new front entry) | Final phase; steel arriving soon | Ongoing |
| Eiser Elementary | Nearing dry condition; interior work underway | August 2025 |
| Campbell Elementary | Slightly ahead; interior work in progress | August 2025 |
| New Intermediate (Flex 26) on FM 1314 | Mobilized on site | August 2026 |
| New Elementary (Flex 27) Grand Oaks feeder | Mobilized on site | August 2026 |
| Grand Oaks 7-8 & 9th Grade Campus | Slab 90% complete; parking 95% | January 2027 (9th grade early opening) |
| Timber Mill High School | Drill pier foundations complete; parking lot underway | August 2027 |
| New Conroe Junior High (FM 1314) | Clearing in progress | August 2027 |
| Caney Creek 9th Grade Campus (FM 1485) | Clearing in progress | August 2027 |
| Knox Junior High Renovation | Phase 1 classrooms opened post-spring break; new driveway; summer phases ahead | August 2026 |
| Buckalew & Haley (gym additions) | Dirt work and building pads | December 2025 |
| Creighton & Ford (gym additions) | New bus loop opened at Creighton; utilities at Ford | December 2025 |
| The Woodlands HS Renovation | Roofing and interior work | December 2026 |
| Oak Ridge 9th Grade Renovation | Contractor mobilizing; approved last month | August 2026 |
| Snider, Tough & Collins (critical infrastructure) | Roofing and bathroom improvements | August 2025 |
| Armstrong, Austin, Burnham Woods & Broadway | Roofing in progress/mobilizing | August 2025 |
| Deretchin, Kaufman & Oak Ridge | Roofing progress | August 2025 |
| Milam & Houston | Roofing nearly complete (Milam) | August 2025 |
| Agriculture Facilities (Boothe Road & North facility) | Cattle barn demolition begun; North facility in permit process | Spring 2026 (North) |
| Natatorium Renovations | Materials arriving this week | End of July 2025 |
Safety & Security upgrades across all bond campuses include:
- Secure interior hallways (elementary/intermediate) to allow teachers to open classroom doors
- Card reader access on all exterior doors (eliminating physical keys)
- Additional exterior cameras for license plate capture at driveways
Item 9: Financial Reports (Miss Garza)
- Tax collections: ~94% collected (on target)
- Debt service: First payment of ~$128 million made February 15; next payment August 15
- 2023 Bond funds encumbered/expended life-to-date: $562.1 million
- Self-funded insurance: $200K deficit for February; $4.8 million deficit year-to-date
- Employee Benefits Committee working on plan design and premium options
- Recommendations to come in April
- Investments (as of Jan 31): $1.5 billion (elevated due to tax collections and second bond sale)
- Portfolio yield: 4.52% vs. 4.18% benchmark (90-day T-bill)
Item 10: Tabled/Pulled Items
- 10A: Resolution regarding MCAD vote — Tabled until special meeting on Friday, March 21 at 1:00 PM
- 10B: Development and cost-sharing MOU — Deferred until after executive session
- 10C: Pulled from agenda
Executive (Closed) Session
- Entered: 8:53 PM
- Purposes cited:
- §551.074 — Staff employment, evaluation, and reassignment; board governance
- §551.076 — Security personnel/devices deployment
- §551.071 — Consultation with board attorney; deliberation regarding security audit findings from 2024-25 intruder detection audits
Return to Open Session — 9:54 PM
10B: Development and Cost-Sharing MOU
- Consider and approve MOU with City of Conroe, Montgomery County MUD #207, and Bradbury Development relating to a lift station and force main to serve CISD campuses
- Motion: Moved and seconded
- Vote: Approved 7-0
Future Agenda Items
- No requests from trustees at this time
Adjournment
- Time: 9:55 PM
- Motion to adjourn: Carried
Summary of All Votes
| Item | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Consent Agenda | All consent items | Approved 7-0 |
| Bush Elementary Principal (Sarah Howard) | | Approved 7-0 |
| Collins Intermediate Principal (Chelsea Harness) | | Approved 7-0 |
| Director of Health Services (Dana Fiser) | | Approved 7-0 |
| NWEA MAP Assessment — Motion to table | Until after STAR results | Carried 4-3 |
| NWEA MAP — Motion to amend (extend pilot) | Trustee Suler | Died — no second |
| Campbell Elementary Mascot (Cardinals) | | Approved 7-0 |
| Eiser Elementary Mascot (Eagles) | | Approved 7-0 |
| CM-at-Risk: Bush & Pohl (Teal Construction) | | Approved 7-0 |
| CM-at-Risk: Giesinger, Singer & Reeves (Angelo Bryant) | | Approved 7-0 |
| CM-at-Risk: Irons, Peet, York & Conroe 9th (Angelo Bryant) | | Approved 7-0 |
| MCAD Resolution | | Tabled to March 21 special meeting |
| Development/Cost-Sharing MOU (City of Conroe/MUD 207) | | Approved 7-0 |
Key Items to Watch
- Blue Bonnet Curriculum: Significant public opposition continues; multiple speakers requested the board reconsider/rescind the February vote; allegations that board speeches were AI-generated; no board action taken this meeting
- NWEA MAP Assessment: Tabled 4-3 pending STAR results; will return to a future agenda
- MCAD Resolution: Tabled to special meeting March 21 at 1:00 PM
- Health Insurance: $4.8M year-to-date deficit; plan design and premium recommendations coming in April
- Attendance Boundary Process: Website live; community presentations next week; 8 scenarios under consideration; board action expected July 15