001Madame President, that was a board meeting, right? >> It really was. But it wasn't that it was so much that it was a challenging one for us as far as uh there was nothing that was disagreeable or whatever. It was just there's a lot. was truly a meaty indepth >> meeting that if we had met at the beginning of November and been able to split things up like we had anticipated it wouldn't have been as challenging >> but we got a lot done for kids didn't we? >> We certainly did >> and we celebrated kids introducing our woodlands state champion tennis. >> That was history being made. The one thing I tried to explain to the students yesterday is this may be a a moment in your life's history, but this is really history being
002made for the Woodlands High School. And a step bigger than that is given the extreme overwhelming success that that school has had, this is their very first state championship for tennis. >> Yes. And it's really cool. and they were so happy and excited and it was nice having the parents there and celebrating them. It was just amazing. >> Yes, it was. >> So, I mean, you are a bit of a demographer yourself. You know a lot about I think you got the record for the most questions as it relates to you when we were talking about zoning and uh what we're looking at for Grand Oaks and Grand Oak Junior High and then Casey Arnold Elementary. >> Well, I I I have a little bit stronger vested interest in that theater zone because I live
003there because she lives there. and and when I moved into my neighborhood, I was one of like house number 60 or something in that area. >> Man, that is no longer the case. >> Tremendously to multiple schools out there. So, I'm pretty aware of everything that's been going on and growth. >> She knows every map, chart, and graph over there. So, she can tell you everything about it. And the neat part is it's crowded, but people are so happy and they love that area. Those are committed folks that love their schools. And it's it's great. I love uh when we uh are proud of our schools and they certainly are. I have learned more about Thanks. Actually, this was put on put on by uh trustee um >> May. >> Trustee May that was right
004about an update for Conroe High School and I got to learn all the lineage behind it. I mean, we've been working on that since how long? 2015 or so. >> Yes. According to Mr. Foster, we've had 21 trustees come and go and we've had multiple um [laughter] we've had multiple there's only two people that are still from the original project still working on it. Yeah. >> Himself and the owner of Ellis. >> I mean, those are the only two that are have been there. This has been going on so long. And Trusty May just picked up on um something that's been a a very strong um concern of mine since being elected. And a large amount of our money, especially because of bonds, when we're asking taxpayers to pay for schools, it >> um and
005to approve bonds for schools is how we're using that money and staying on top of it. And so I was really excited to have someone else that was more interested in it than just the the top layer of it. >> No. And it was a good question and we had really good feedback and the good news is we had a solid date for substantial completion where kids are going to move in, trailers are going to move out and it's going to be great. >> Should we announce that date? >> I mean I was waiting for you to do it. >> Okay. August 3rd, 2026. We are supposed to have the quoted substantial movein date and completion date for Conroe High School. We are so excited to be able to announce that date. Um when I
006asked what substantial meant, it just means that we will have complete access to the use of that property. So, I'm I'm really excited about that. >> I've actually got finished with a couple of high school renovations a few years ago. And when that that substantial deal means it's done, but it also means that there's going to be a ton of punch list because it's such a big place. >> It's a huge project. >> And uh it's nice that we can be we can do that. And uh it's going to be beautiful once it's done. It's going to be great. So um nobody cares about calendar around here. I guess >> no, I mean we didn't we had hardly anyone answer that 12,000. >> It was 11,000. [laughter] It was crazy. But it was a large
007number in and it uh in fact this morning I came across someone in in conversation and she said I made the comment about the calendar um item on the agenda and she goes, "Oh, I filled out that survey." I go, "You and 15,000 others." I bet you it's a it's a serious um item to be uh addressed in our district because it affects 73,000 students and >> all of the residents that have children in our district. >> Absolutely. And hey, you know what? You had the crystal ball right. you were saying, you know, we were talking about having a fall break and it but the overwhelming support is the idea of a three and four day weekend. >> That's that's where my gut was and I was glad to see that it held up. >>
008And uh the other things in in serious fashion uh we we're not going to be under TRS active care which is a great insurance and actually our teachers are going to pay less in terms of their premiums. It's just that, you know, they're they're out of pocket and stuff like that are going to be be more expensive, but it's it is stable and it's it's locked in for two years and I know it was a big decision and you want to talk a little bit about that? >> Yes, sir. Um, the thing is is that I I want everyone to know and understand that these trustees that I serve with are amazing. They dug in, researched, asked a lot of questions. Um, but the truth of the matter is we are down to a half
009a million dollars in the fund balance in our self-funded plan. We have been we approved another $7 million last night to be transferred out, which leaves us with a half a million dollars to cover the shortfalls >> and we're going to continue to have shortfalls even now that we uh approved the TRS insurance plan. It was difficult for us because uh it did it didn't come without some controversy or constrnation by some but overall >> um >> we know it was the right decision for the district for the financial bottom line and the reason why that matters is it because it directly impacts our students and what we can do for them. >> Absolutely. >> And we had to make that decision. The good news is that's the bad news. The good news is that
010it's Blue Cross Blue Shield and that's what we already have and so and uh we have a half a million strong I mean we have um >> five over 500 members of that are actually in TRS active care 500 active care members already with TRS that when they're bidding that makes it very strong very stronger than what we can bid >> and so that's exciting and are they're not going to have to change doctors they're some cases going to gain more options. It's it's it's a much better situation for all and even if it does come with some pangs. Um the bottom line is is our every dollar we spend uh outside of the classroom is directly impacted in the classroom. And the thing is our CFO is one of the brightest people we know.
011We all have trust in her when you know one of the first things that she said is we really need to take a look at this because it's becoming a considerable concern and taking care of that and getting in front of it. You know it was an important thing to do and >> Yes sir. >> I'm just proud that we had the chance to get that done. So the other thing is um you've we have had an education foundation I think that's been alive for 20 plus years. Oh, I think it yes, it's been around probably longer than that, but um Dr. Stockton contacted uh Nelda Blair >> who she and Maris Blair and a board of trustees have been running it for the last 20 years and he asked them if they would take
012it over and move it out out of the roof of Conro ISD. >> Okay. >> And they've done it fabulously. Yeah. They have all on their own. um all on their own efforts and the Blair Law Firm putting um all the housing and storage and printing and everything they've done it and so they came to us and they said we think there's a great potential for growth here but our bandwidth is up >> and they asked us to bring it back inhouse or to make other provisions for it um because they're not able to take it to the next level that they know that it has. And so that's where we were last night. We um we had to make a decision to explore this option about what it would look like to move forward
013with it. And we are so thankful for them and everything that they have done and um for coming back to the district and saying, >> "Hey, this can do more. We don't have the time and energy and efforts. Can you take it back on?" >> Our school district and our families are so amazing. They just volunteer and help. It's just a wonderful place. And those are wonderful people. and then they're they're leaving us with with some cash and some plans. And so now y'all have authorized me to start the process of working with our attorneys and then getting the scope of what it would be and then bringing it all back to y'all for for formal consideration. And you know, I love it when everything works together. You know, that's it. But I mean the
014thing is is that that sounds like a lot but there was a lot and it was nice and a lot of engagement and uh I like I was teasing that during the board meeting but that's a record setting number of questions for for insurance but it was taken so seriously and I was in in the gravity of it and uh you know I was so proud of the trustees in terms of just working through all those kind of things together. Y'all are a good team and it's nice being able to serve you and you know I uh I'm really grateful for y'all and you know what I've already started talking about December. >> So we got fortunately I have been too. >> So we'll be around ride again and so we've got we've got I've
015got a couple of agenda items on there. So anyway, thank you and it was a great November meeting. >> Thank you sir. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. >> It's going to be great.