In addition to setting the wheels in motion for the next phase of construction projects following approval of a $1.8 billion bond referendum in November, the Conroe ISD board of trustees on Dec. 12 discussed how it will use more than $10 million in grant funds for safety improvements in the coming year.
The action taken
Chris McCord, assistant superintendent for operations for CISD, told the board the district received a $10.11 million grant for school safety and facilities through the School Safety and Facilities Grant Cycle 1. This will allow the district to become compliant with Texas Administrative Code Chapter 61, a rule that requires campuses across the state to install safety elements, such as anti-scaling fencing, by August 2024. Earlier this year, another safety grant provided $2.82 million to add anti-scaling fencing in the summer.
The board also assigned architects for preconstruction and design services for bond projects, using firms approved in 2022 for this purpose. This includes projects such as new schools, campus renovations and master plans. According to meeting materials, the next step is negotiations. On Dec. 5, Easy Foster, director of planning and construction for CISD, told the board some projects may be able to start as soon as March.
