Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conroe ISD trustees to consider new student-safety policies after audit; SB 571 cited
Summary
Trustees discussed strengthening safety and communication systems, including vendor affidavits required by SB 571 and a unified communications platform; the board will consider a slate of safety policies on June 16 and directed staff to continue implementation planning.
Conroe ISD trustees discussed a series of policy and operational changes aimed at strengthening student safety, including consolidating parent–school communications and complying with SB 571, the board said.
Dr. Vincent Winkler, who led the presentation, said a recent communications audit found the district should "unify" its parent and staff messaging to make communications "safe, secure and organized," and proposed adopting a consolidated platform the district has used in other contexts to improve tracking and response. "I think the parents are not going to like it, the teachers not going to like it," Winkler said, adding that the system would "help us unify the district and ... make it safer."
Assistant or counsel-level staff (Miss Belaloo) told trustees the board will consider a slate of safety policies at its June 16 meeting and highlighted a legislative change requiring additional vetting of vendors and employees. "One of the big bills out of the legislative session was SB 571 and that actually requires employees and service providers ... to complete affidavits and be on the register," Miss Belaloo said, describing the measure as part of upcoming policy work.
Trustee May urged the board to go beyond minimum legal requirements, calling for transparent communication, stronger oversight and prompt reporting. "Conro ISD is not the place for you," Trustee May said to anyone who would "seek to exploit, groom, or harm a child," and said the district must maintain "strong safeguards" and "decisive action" when allegations arise.
The discussion followed an earlier communications audit presented by district staff; trustees discussed logistics, training and the need to make reporting systems trackable. Board members asked for direction on proposed policy language and implementation steps; staff said they will return with the policy slate and supporting materials on June 16.
No final action was taken in open session on student-safety items; the board moved to closed session for personnel and legal consultation and later returned to open session with no reportable action from closed session. The board did not vote on specific policy language during the meeting.
