May 12, 2026 — Regular Meeting
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Conroe ISD Board of Trustees – Unofficial Meeting Notes
Date: May 12, 2026
Type: Regular Meeting
Time: Called to order 5:02 PM; Adjourned 8:13 PM
Meeting Highlights
Summary generated 2026-05-14 11:22 UTC
- The board authorized the superintendent to settle a dispute with SI Environmental LLC for up to $161,000, approved 6-1.
- The Board Operating Procedures Manual was adopted 4-3, over objections from Trustee Horton and two others regarding provisions expanding board president authority.
- The board approved updates to Board Policies DBD, FEA, FEC, and GC.
- The board voted 7-0 to make no change to the placement of The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains, keeping the book in district libraries.
- The board approved the 2025 library materials acquisition list 7-0, following a 30-day public review period.
- Five Bond 2023 construction bid awards were approved 7-0, covering HVAC, roofing, and safety upgrades at multiple campuses, plus gym additions at Anderson and Glen Loch Elementaries ($22,000,000) and David and Galatas Elementaries ($13,389,623).
- The board approved a $28,646,253 GMP for major renovations at San Jacinto Elementary and additions at Ross Elementary, 7-0.
- A $25,000,000 bid for HVAC replacements at Caney Creek High School and security upgrades at 13 other campuses was awarded to Ellesore Constructors, approved 6-1.
- The board voted 7-0 to table an Education Foundation resolution pending further review, and approved issuing an RFP for a Bond program manager 7-0.
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors in names, spellings, or details. Official minutes should be consulted for the authoritative record.
Closed Session
The board entered closed session at 5:06 PM and returned to open session at 5:56 PM. Topics discussed in closed session included:
- Principal candidates (§551.074)
- Pending/contemplated litigation or contract dispute with SI Environmental LLC (§551.071)
- District-wide intruder detection audit report (§551.076)
- Property acquisition (§551.072)
Actions from Closed Session
Settlement Agreement — SI Environmental LLC
The board voted to authorize the superintendent to settle with SI Environmental LLC for a maximum of $161,000 (amount as stated in transcript).
Vote: 6-1 (one trustee voted in opposition)
Property Acquisition — Robinson Road Right-of-Way
The board voted to approve a right-of-way acquisition by Montgomery County Precinct 3 at Robinson Road and authorize the superintendent to negotiate and execute the contract documents.
Vote: 7-0
Citizen Participation
Seven speakers addressed the board. Key themes:
- Henry Moss (fifth grader, Wilkerson Elementary) — Spoke in favor of more recess time, citing research linking physical activity to improved academic performance. He argued the Bluebonnet curriculum displaces PE and Fine Arts time.
- Erin Carling — Announced that 34 mothers from 19 countries volunteered 360 hours to deliver an onboarding program for international families covering the U.S. education system, cultural differences, and migratory grief. Plans include creating multilingual YouTube videos and continuing the International Mothers' Committee next year.
- Crystal Eicher (CPAC Chairperson) — Praised the collaborative relationship between district leadership and the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (CPAC). Highlighted the district's responsiveness to feedback during the "homecoming initiative" and outlined plans to build a more structured and sustainable CPAC program.
- Destinee Milton (former CISD teacher and parent) — Criticized the board's library materials review process (Policy EMB) as politically motivated rather than educationally grounded. Argued the policy gives seven trustees sole removal authority with no meaningful appeal mechanism. Used the pending Action Bible challenge as an example of how the board's own precedent could be applied inconsistently.
- Teresa Kinney — Raised concerns about the library materials acquisition list for "Heroes and Villains," noting that titles present in the March list were absent from the April version without explanation, including books on Black American history and a Holocaust-themed picture book. Also reported that teachers and librarians are self-censoring.
- Rebecca Smith — Addressed the challenge to The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains, arguing it does not meet the legal standard for removal under Texas Education Code or Penal Code. She also noted the original challenger had publicly stated his intent was to expose what he saw as inconsistency in the board's prior decision on I Am Billie Jean King, not to have the Action Bible removed.
- Jeff Zedler — Spoke in support of the board's prior decisions on library materials and characterized opposition to book restrictions as politically motivated.
- Mark Brooks — Confirmed he submitted the challenge to The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains deliberately to highlight what he views as inconsistency in the board's January decision to restrict I Am Billie Jean King. He read parallel passages from both books and asked the board to deny the Action Bible challenge and reverse the restriction on I Am Billie Jean King. He noted the Billie Jean King appeal was not on the agenda because the board declined to hear it.
Consent Agenda
Trustee Horton requested that Item V.E be pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion.
The remaining items — V.A through V.M, excluding V.E — were approved as a single vote:
- V.A — Approve minutes from a previous meeting
- V.B — Receive financial reports
- V.C — Approve amendment to the budget
- V.D — Receive HR report and approve employment of professional personnel
- V.F — Final adoption of Policy DBD (Local) (Policy Tracker) — Employment Requirements and Restrictions: Conflict of Interest, implementing HB 3372 requirements including a prohibition on administrators receiving financial benefits from district vendors and a $10,000 civil penalty for violations
- V.G — Adopt exhibit forms pursuant to Policy EHBAG (Local) (Policy Tracker) — supporting monthly and quarterly reporting requirements for special education legal costs
- V.H — Final adoption of Policy FEA (Local) (Policy Tracker) — Compulsory Attendance, adding excused absence provisions for off-campus religious instruction consistent with SB 1049
- V.I — Final adoption of Policy FEC (Local) (Policy Tracker) — Attendance for Credit, clarifying treatment of health-related absences and requiring written implementation procedures
- V.J — Final adoption of Policy GC (Local) (Policy Tracker) — Public Notices, establishing criteria for digital newspaper use for official notices per SB 1062
- V.K — Approve submission of a Foreign Exchange Student Waiver to TEA
- V.L — Approve renewal of Professional Development Waiver application
- V.M — Approve submission of a Low Attendance Waiver to TEA
Vote: 7-0
Consent Agenda — Item V.E (Pulled): Board Operating Procedures Manual (First Read)
Trustee Horton pulled this item to raise concerns about changes in the current draft that she said were not previously discussed or agreed upon, particularly provisions expanding the authority of the board president into areas such as reimbursements, training compliance, and complaints against trustees.
Key discussion points:
- Legal counsel (Ms. Belew) confirmed the current version was distributed 30 days prior and had not changed since, other than typographical and formatting corrections. Content changes from earlier drafts reflected prior public board discussions about including training procedures and policy adoption processes.
- Other trustees noted the board had spent approximately 209 days and seven hours of dedicated meeting time on this document.
- Trustee Horton stated she was unaware of the changes expanding board president authority and that she had submitted concerns the Sunday before the meeting — within the 30-day window.
- A trustee noted the most recent version was received at 2:58 PM the day of the meeting, though Belew confirmed content was unchanged from the 30-day-prior release.
- Trustee Horton attempted to make an amendment to the motion to incorporate her requested changes. A motion to call the vote was made and seconded before the amendment could be fully considered, which procedurally prevented the amendment.
Motion: Approve the Board Operating Procedures Manual as presented.
Vote: 4-3 (Trustee Horton, Semmler, and Dungan voted in opposition)
Human Resources — Principal Appointments
BB Rice Elementary — New Principal
Dr. Winkler introduced Dr. Catherine Brennan, currently assistant principal at Grangerland Intermediate, as the recommended new principal of Rice Elementary. Dr. Brennan holds a doctorate in education from Sam Houston State University (2016) with a dissertation focused on college readiness for students with disabilities, and has 20 years of experience in CISD.
This appointment was part of the consent agenda HR item (V.D) approved earlier; the recognition was a separate ceremonial presentation.
McCullough Junior High — New Principal
Dr. Koplowski introduced Wendi Spears, currently principal at Oak Ridge 9th Grade Campus, as the recommended new principal of McCullough Junior High. Spears began her career at McCullough 21 years ago and has served in multiple roles across CISD, including assistant principal and associate principal at McCullough.
This appointment was similarly part of the consent agenda HR item.
Administration — Education Foundation Resolution
Tabled by unanimous vote (7-0). Dr. Vinson requested the item be tabled to allow additional review and discussion with the Foundation. A motion to table passed without objection.
Teaching and Learning — Library Materials Adoption
Dr. Upshaw presented the final library materials acquisition list for 2025, which had been on public review for 30 days (April 12 – May 12) per board policy. Dr. Vinson certified that the materials comply with Texas Education Code §33.026, board policy EFB, and Senate Bill 13.
Vote to approve library materials list: 7-0
Teaching and Learning — Challenge to The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains
Dr. Landry presented a written challenge to library placement of The Action Bible: Heroes and Villains, submitted in February.
A motion was made to make no change to the placement and circulation of the book.
Vote: 7-0 (book remains in libraries)
Planning and Construction
Mr. McCord presented multiple Bond 2023 project updates. He noted the district is nearing the end of its major bond construction phase: 29 Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) projects have been approved, with approximately six remaining. When complete, the number of over-capacity campuses is expected to fall from 39 to approximately six. Five major new campuses are set to open next school year.
A. South County District Warehouse — JOC Delivery Method & Contractor Selection
Approve use of Job Order Contracting (JOC) as the procurement method and Nash Industries as the contractor for an expansion of the South County District Warehouse (near Vogel Intermediate) from 18,000 to 32,000 sq. ft. of climate-controlled space. Cost: $1,600,000.
Rationale: Small, specific scope of work with an expedited need; expansion is required to store equipment for five major campuses opening next school year.
Vote: 7-0
B. David Elementary & Galatas Elementary — GMP Approval
Approve the Guaranteed Maximum Price for gym additions and infrastructure/safety renovations at both campuses. Nash Industries is the previously awarded contractor (HKS is the architect). Total cost: $13,389,623.
Vote: 7-0
C. San Jacinto Elementary & Rice Elementary — GMP Approval
Approve the GMP for a major renovation at San Jacinto Elementary (including gym addition, extended car-drop lane to reduce congestion on FM 1314, and decommissioning of the on-site wastewater treatment plant) and additions at Rice Elementary. Pogue is the previously awarded contractor. Total cost: $28,646,253.
Board discussion highlighted the importance of maximizing San Jacinto's limited footprint and the value of adding a gymnasium for scheduling and special education services. Trustee Odenweller noted this area is expected to see significant population growth (Mavera/Ardavia developments).
Vote: 7-0
D. RFP for Program Manager / Construction Consulting Services
Approve issuing an RFP (not RFQ, so price will be a factor) to procure a program manager for bond and construction projects. Staff estimated a 90-day turnaround to develop a pool of qualified vendors. Trustee Odenweller emphasized this is about demonstrating fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.
Vote: 7-0
E. Woodlands 9th Grade Campus & College Park High School — Bid Award
Approve bid award for chiller, boiler, air handler, and roof replacements, plus exterior card readers and driveway cameras at both campuses, to be completed by August 2028. Recommendation: Marshall Constructors (original builder of College Park HS). 17 contractors responded.
Vote: 7-0
F. Auxiliary Facilities Renovation — Bid Award
Approve bid award for infrastructure renovations (chillers, boilers, air handlers, electrical, generators, roofing) at the Sadler Administration Building, Testing & Assessment Center, Conroe Transportation Center, Williams Transportation Center, police command center (336), and Hawk Building. Cost: $11,500,000. Recommendation: Millennium Project Solutions (new to CISD, has performed this work for neighboring districts). 13 contractors responded.
Vote: 7-0
G. Caney Creek High School & District Safety/Security Upgrades — Bid Award
Approve bid award for chiller, boiler, air handler, and electrical replacements at Caney Creek High School, plus safety and security upgrades (driveway cameras and 100% exterior door card readers) at Bradley, Clark, Suchma, Hope, Hines, Gordon Reed, Bartlett, Lamar, Oak Ridge Elementary, Stockton, Moorhead, Conroe High School, and Grand Oaks High School. To be completed August 2028. Cost: $25,000,000. Recommendation: Ellesore Constructors. 12 contractors responded; 5 advanced to a second round.
Discussion: Trustee Horton raised concerns about Ellesore's capacity given ongoing projects at Conroe High School, Grand Oaks High School 9th Grade Campus, and Grand Oaks Junior High. Staff responded that the Conroe High School work is nearing completion, Grand Oaks projects will wrap up by January 2027, and Ellesore's project superintendent who managed a prior successful 2019 bond project (returning $700,000 to the district) remains with the firm. Staff also emphasized the value of using the same contractor for security system installation to maintain consistency.
Trustee May also expressed concerns about Ellesore, citing past issues with the Conroe High School project timeline. Staff noted that of the five finalists, all other active CISD contractors are currently committed to other district projects.
Vote: 6-1
H. Anderson Elementary & Glen Loch Elementary — Bid Award
Approve bid award for gym additions, HVAC overhaul (Anderson), and safety and security improvements at both campuses. To be completed August 2028. Cost: $22,000,000. Recommendation: Marshall Construction (first by rank and lowest bidder). 18 contractors responded — one of the highest contractor response counts the district has seen.
Board members requested that future project fact sheets break down costs by individual campus where multiple schools are involved. Staff agreed and noted that more specifics will be available as projects move through the GMP process.
Vote: 7-0
The board adjourned at 8:13 PM.
Note: These are unofficial notes based on an auto-generated transcript. They may contain errors in names, spellings, or details. Official minutes should be consulted for the authoritative record.