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Board approves grants, rezoning and utility agreement; rejects model prayer resolution
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting the Willis ISD Board approved multiple grant awards, a rezoning plan for the new Castle Shultz Elementary and a cost‑sharing utility agreement with the City of Conroe; a motion to adopt a model resolution under Senate Bill 11 failed on the board floor.
The Willis ISD Board recorded several formal actions at the Feb. 11 regular meeting.
Grants: Administration announced multiple award notifications and the board voted unanimously to accept LASO/LIFT and related grant awards, including a three-year LIFT grant with a year‑one award of $908,000 and other program-specific awards and mentoring supports. (Motion to accept superintendent's recommendation: Chad Jones; second: Cliff Williams; outcome: approved 5–0.)
Senate Bill 11 model resolution: The administration presented a state-prescribed model resolution under the Texas Education Code that would require a recorded board vote on whether to adopt a policy allowing a daily opportunity for prayer/reading of religious texts on campus. Trustee Parsons moved to approve the resolution under TEC §25.0823; the motion was seconded but the motion failed on the board floor (recorded in the minutes as 'motion fails 5 0').
Rezoning: The board approved attendance boundary changes for the new Ruth Castle Shultz Elementary as recommended by staff (motion by Scott Carson; second by Chad Jones; outcome: approved 5–0). Staff presented maps and a demographic overview to explain feeder-pattern alignment and transportation considerations.
City utility agreement: Trustees approved an infrastructure and cost-sharing agreement with the City of Conroe that covers water and sewer participation, road obligations and tree mitigation related to new campuses (total cited in the presentation: $1,858,000; specific capped pro rata share for water/sewer participation: $708,797). The agreement requires full payment within 45 days for the city to begin work and specifies city ownership and maintenance of the infrastructure (motion by Chad Jones; second by Scott Carson; outcome: approved 5–0). Administration said the agreement aligns with campus opening timelines.
Other motions: Upon reconvening from closed session the board approved the first ballots presented in closed session (motion carried 5–0). The meeting adjourned after a final motion passed unanimously.
The board did not vote to adopt the SB 11 model resolution; administration and trustees will continue to move forward with awarded grants, rezoning and the city infrastructure agreement as approved.
