The Conroe ISD board of trustees met Tuesday evening to discuss and take possible action on various agenda items. All board members were present with the exception of Scott Kidd, Position 5. Here are three takeaways from the Nov. 14 meeting: 1. Student achievements were recognized by board members The board recognized the 2017-18 National Merit Scholarship semifinalist recipients, which included more than 20 students who scored amongst the top 1 percent of Texas students who took the preliminary SATs. The semifinalists will be notified in February 2018 if they advanced to the finalist level. The Woodlands High School boys’ cross-country team was also recognized by the board as the 2017 UIL 6A Boys’ Cross Country State Champions. The Nov. 4 win was TWHS’s 20th state championship victory. 2. Presentation of 2018-2019 academic calendar draft Curtis Null, CISD deputy superintendent of schools, presented a draft of the 2018-2019 academic calendar, which included four early release days, as well as the possibility of an early-start date in August and a release date before Memorial Day. The draft of the 2018-19 calendar is similar to the 2017-18 academic calendar, Null said. It will be posted to the CISD website in late November to solicit community feedback before the calendar is brought to the board in January for approval. 3. Trustees casted votes for Montgomery Central Appraisal District board of directors Every two years, taxing jurisdictions in Montgomery County nominate candidates for the five-member MCAD board of directors. CISD is entitled to cast a total of 1,739 votes amongst the 13 candidates for the 2018-19 MCAD board of directors. Newly elected board members take office Jan. 1. Votes were distributed as the following: Barry Luzey III: 752 votes Bruce Tough: 752 votes Barry Blanton: 235