[A. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:04] IT'S TWO O'CLOCK, I WILL CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ROUND ROCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT. SCHOOL BOARD, SORRY, BOARD OF TRUSTEES CALLED BOARD MEETING TODAY IS MONDAY, JANUARY THE 3RD, 2022. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR, THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. WE WILL MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT NOW AT EACH REGULARLY SCHEDULED AT EACH BOARD MEETING, THE [C. PUBLIC COMMENTS TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY] BOARD WILL SET ASIDE TIME TO AFFORD THE GENERAL PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. WE ASKED THE CONCERNS OR COMPLAINTS REGARDING SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS NOT BE RAISED IN THIS PUBLIC FORUM. SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT EMPLOYEES OR FORMER EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY, ACCORDING TO APPLICABLE BOARD POLICIES. THE BOARD REQUEST THAT COMMENTS, WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL. I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE AUDIENCE AND THE VIEWERS THAT THE COMMENTS OF THE SPEAKERS REFLECT THEIR OWN POSITIONS OR OPINIONS. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE THE PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, THAT RIGHT IS NOT UNLIMITED. PER TEXAS PENAL CODE 38.13, 42.01, AND 42.05 AND TEXAS EDUCATION CODE 37.105. NO AUDIENCE MEMBER OR SPEAKER WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENGAGE IN ANY CONDUCT THAT IS DISRUPTIVE OR THREATENING TOWARDS ANY SPEAKER OR OTHER PERSON, OR TO VIOLATE THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF ANOTHER PERSON. THE BOARD SHALL NOT TOLERATE DISRUPTION OF THE MEETING BY THE MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE IF AFTER AT LEAST ONE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL WARNINGS FROM THE PRESIDING OFFICER, ANY INDIVIDUAL CONTINUING TO DISRUPT THE MEETING BY HIS OR WORDS OR ACTIONS. THE PRESIDING OFFICER WILL REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL REMOVED FROM THE MEETING. THE BOARD MAY NOT DISCUSS OR ACT UPON ANY MATTER THAT IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE ACTION ITEM PORTION OF THE AGENDA. THEREFORE, BOARD MEMBERS MAY NOT DISCUSS THE COMMENTS OF SPEAKERS. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT A LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD DOES NOT INDICATE AGREEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE COMMENTS. EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN TWO MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD. TRUSTEE HARRISON WILL BE THE DESIGNATED TIMEKEEPER. THE FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE MILO WILLIAMS. NEXT UP WILL BE JOHN CAGY. ALL RIGHT. HAPPY NEW YEAR. MY NAME IS MIKE WILLIAMS. MY HANDWRITING WAS A LITTLE SLOPPY. THE TEA HAS EXTENDED THE ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO START TO HEAL. THAT DECISION'S UP TO THE BOARD. UP TO YOU, FOLKS. TAKES FOUR OF YOU TO REACH OUT AND GRASP THAT LIFELINE. SO THAT THE TEMPERATURE CAN COME DOWN AND WE CAN START TO RESOLVE THIS THING. THE TEA EXAMINERS INVESTIGATION IS GOING TO GO FORWARD REGARDLESS. ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE WITH PAY. COMMON PUBLIC SECTOR PRACTICE WHEN THOSE TYPES OF EXAMINATIONS ARE GOING ON. REACH OUT, GRABS THE LIFELINE START THE HEALING ONLY TAKES FOUR OF YOU TO MAKE THAT DECISION. THANK YOU. NEXT UP IS JOHN CAGY. AFTER THAT WILL BE DENICE RAY. GOOD AFTERNOON, ROUND ROCK ISD IS FAMOUS. 2021 HAS MADE ROUND ROCK ISD NATIONAL NEWS. BUT THIS IS NOT GOOD NOTORIETY. WE ARE NOT KNOWN FOR HAVING THE BEST FOOTBALL TEAM IN TEXAS. WE ARE NOT NATIONALLY KNOWN FOR A MARCHING BAND ORCHESTRA OR THEATER PROGRAMS. WE ARE NOT KNOWN FOR OUR STELLAR ACHIEVEMENT IN ACADEMICS OR FOR BRINGING UP THE LOWEST PERFORMING STUDENTS OUT OF THE MUCK AND LEADING THEM TO A BRIGHT FUTURE. WE ARE NATIONAL NEWS BECAUSE THIS BOARD HAS A HISTORY OF POOR DECISIONS WHICH ALLOWED OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NAME TO BE DRAGGED THROUGH THE MUD. JUST LIKE LOUDON COUNTY. DO NOT CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH. THIS PATH LEADS TO MORE STUDENTS LEAVING THE DISTRICT. THIS PATH LEADS, THIS PATH LEADS TO MORE TAXPAYER MONEY WASTED ON LEGAL FEES AND INVESTIGATIONS. THIS PATH LEADS TO LOWER PROPERTY VALUES AND LESS MONEY SPENT ON WHAT OUR [00:05:05] CHILDREN NEED TO SUCCEED IN THEIR LIVES. DO NOT LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO OUR SUPERINTENDENT. DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME AND MONEY ANY LONGER. WHETHER HE IS GUILTY OR INNOCENT IS IRRELEVANT. THE DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE. DO NOT BANDAGE THE WOUND AND HOPE IT DOESN'T GET INFECTED, CLEAN THE WOUND AND PURGE IT OF WHAT HAS CAUSED. THE FLESH TO FESTER AND ROT SO WE CAN CAUTERIZE IT AND MOVE ON. EXPEL THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIRE SOMEONE WHO CAN BRING HONOR, PEACE AND EXCELLENCE BACK TO THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. NEXT IS DENISE RAY, AFTER THAT WILL BE ROCHELLE CLARK. WHO ON THE BOARD HAS DAUGHTERS? IF YOUR DAUGHTER CAME TO YOU ALLEGING THAT SHE WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? LOOK THE OTHER WAY? CALL HER A LIAR OR LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION AND SEEK JUSTICE? WHY IS THE SUPERINTENDENT STILL EMPLOYED WHEN HE SEEMS TO BE IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONTRACT? THE CONTRACT STATES GOOD CAUSE FOR TERMINATION SHALL MEAN QUOTE IMMORALITY, WHICH IS CONDUCT NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE ACCEPTED MORAL STANDARDS OF THE COMMUNITY ENCOMPASSED BY THE DISTRICT. IMMORALITY IS NOT CONFINED TO SEXUAL MATTERS, BUT INCLUDES CONDUCT INCONSISTENT WITH RECTITUDE OR INDICATIVE OF CORRUPTION, INDECENCY OR DEPRAVITY UNQUOTE. IS IT NOT ENOUGH THAT HE HAS A PROTECTIVE ORDER FOR ALLEGED ASSAULT ON A FORMER MISTRESS WHOM HE IMPREGNATED WHILE STILL MARRIED AND NOW FACES ACCUSATIONS OF ABUSE OF POWER? THIS IS A VIOLATION OF STANDARDS SET FORTH BY OUR OWN DISTRICT. IS THIS THE BEST ROLE MODEL WE CAN GET FOR OUR CHILDREN? THE TEA CURRENTLY IS INVESTIGATING, BUT WHY HAVEN'T YOU? YOU'VE KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR OVER FIVE MONTHS AND YOU FIVE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN A WITCH HUNT AND WASTE OUR TIME AND RESOURCES BY ATTEMPTING TO CENSURE AND INVESTIGATE TWO TRUSTEES WHO'VE ONLY ASKED FOR TRANSPARENCY. WHY ARE YOU DECLINING TO DISCLOSE THE CONTENTS OF THE MONITOR'S LETTER, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED BY THE TEA TO THE MEDIA? HAS ANYONE INVESTIGATED TRUSTEE VESSA FOR HER ROLE IN POTENTIALLY BEING THE CATALYST THAT LED TO THE ASSAULT? EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE MISTRESS' FRIENDS SENT PRIVATE MESSAGES TO MS. VESSA REGARDING MISCONDUCT. THE NEXT DAY, THE MISTRESS WAS ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED AND HER HOME RANSACKED. LET'S INVESTIGATE WHY A FATHER WAS TARGETED BY SOMEONE ON THE BOARD FOR SPEAKING AT A BOARD MEETING ON THE SAME TOPIC THREE OTHER FEMALE PARENTS SPOKE ABOUT. HE WAS PHYSICALLY REMOVED AND THEN ARRESTED ONE MONTH LATER AT THE BEHEST OF DR. AZAIEZ. CAN WE INVESTIGATE WHY TRUSTEE HARRISON HAS ALIGNED HERSELF WITH AN UNDERGROUND ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS FUST, WHO ACTIVELY PROMOTES DOXING AND BULLYING OF OTHER PARENTS AND SUPPORTS PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL IN LIBRARY BOOKS? DR. XIAO IS A SCIENTIST, AND HE LOOKS AT TRENDS. LET'S LOOK AT THE TREND THAT INDICATES THAT FIVE OF YOU AND ROUND ROCK ISD STAFF ONLY WANT TO DEFLECT, INVESTIGATE AND ARREST INDIVIDUALS WHO SET OUT TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH, RATHER THAN THOSE WHO ARE ACTUALLY EXPECTED OF WRONGDOING. THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. NEXT IS ROCHELLE CLARKE. AFTER THAT WILL BE ALAN MARTINSON. ROCHELLE CLARKE AND ALAN MARTINSON. WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE JUST TWO MONTHS AGO, I CAME HERE WITH THE CONCERNS OF THE TOPIC OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE TEA THAT YOU GUYS HAVE REALLY DID A GOOD JOB TRYING TO HIDE THE LETTER FOR US ALL WEEKEND. OF COURSE, I'M ASSUMING THIS IS TODAY'S TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AS YOU CONTINUE TO FAIL TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY ANY INSIGHT WHATSOEVER. AND WHAT SORT OF BUSINESS YOU DO PLAN TO CONDUCT TODAY, EXCEPT APPARENTLY READ A LETTER. SO I DEMAND ANSWERS. THE COMMUNITY DESERVES ANSWERS TO WHY YOU FIVE CONTINUE TO PROTECT, SUPPORT AND HIDE A PREDATOR. I URGE AND DEMAND THAT YOU HOLD THIS DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC FORUM SO WE, THE PEOPLE KNOW HOW OUR ELECTED, THAT IS YOU, ELECTED OFFICIALS REALLY FEEL ON THIS SUBJECT. WE HAVE COME TOO FAR IN THE FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO HIDE AND DISMISS ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT. WE NEED TO BE HOLDING OUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS TIME TO PUT AN END TO SILENCING VICTIMS IN YOUR GOAL TO DIVIDE THIS COMMUNITY. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS BRING US TOGETHER BECAUSE WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT ASSAULT IS WRONG. NEXT IS ALAN MARTINSON AFTER THAT WILL BE REBECCA MELIS. HELLO. SHORT AND SWEET. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. THAT'S IT, THANK YOU. REBECCA MELIS NEXT WOULD BE XIAO QIN LEE. [00:10:07] GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT DR. A. WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS OF TEACHER SHORTAGES AND RAMPANT COVID SPREAD. WE NEED FIRM LEADERSHIP GUIDING OUR DISTRICT. DR. A. LISTENS TO THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS AND RESPONDS WITH CALMNESS AND GUIDANCE. WHILE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DR. A ARE CONCERNING, THEY ARE JUST THAT, ALLEGATIONS. I CAN ALLEGE ANYTHING I WANT. I CAN ALLEGE THAT WHITE SUPREMACISTS ARE TRYING TO INTIMIDATE MINORITY TRUSTEES TO KEEP THEM FROM RUNNING AGAIN. I CAN ALLEGE THAT RELIGIOUS FANATICS ARE DISRUPTING MEETINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PUSH THEIR OWN RELIGIOUS AGENDA. I CAN ALLEGE THAT TRUSTEES APPEARING ON CONSPIRACY THEORIST PODCASTS AND ASSOCIATING WITH DOMESTIC TERRORISTS ARE REASONS TO CALL FOR THEIR REMOVAL FROM THE BOARD. OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS BUILT ON THE TENET OF INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. DON'T LET THE VOCAL, FAR RIGHT MINORITY CONTINUE TO DISRUPT THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR DISTRICT WITH THEIR POLITICAL ANTICS, OUR CHILDREN AND STAFF DESERVE MORE. NEXT IS XIAO QIN ELAINE LI. AFTER THAT WILL BE DONNA TUCKER. HELLO, MY NAME IS ELAINE LI. I'M A ROUND ROCK PARENT. I'M SPEAKING TO SUPPORT DR. AZAIEZ. MA'AM, CAN YOU HOLD ON ONE SECOND? THANK YOU. I HAVE TO REQUIRE THAT IT BE QUIET IN THE, AND WE AFFORD EVERYONE SPEAKING THE SAME AMOUNT OF RESPECT, PLEASE. WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER OR NOT, PLEASE ALLOW EACH SPEAKER THE SAME AMOUNT OF RESPECT. GO AHEAD. WE'LL START YOUR TIME BACK OVER. THANK YOU. I'M SPEAKING TO SUPPORT DR. AZAIEZ. DURING A TIME OF MANY CRISES, HE WORKED ON PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS. HE WORKED ON RELEASING THE CARES FUND WITH THE WILHELMSEN COMMISSION IN COURT. HE WORKED ON VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THE FALL SEMESTER BEFORE THE FUNDING WAS OFFICIALLY APPROVED, AND MANY FAMILY BENEFIT FROM THAT. HE CAME UP WITH A RESPECTABLE MASK MANDATE THAT'S BASED ON AN EVER EVOLVING PUBLIC SAFETY SITUATION WHILE GENUINELY TRY TO STRIKE A COMPROMISE. HE FREQUENTLY SPEAKS ABOUT IMPROVING TO SPEAK ABOUT PROVIDING BETTER COMPENSATION FOR TEACHERS. HE HAS ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY IN CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS. FACING MANY PERSONAL ATTACK, I SEE HIM REMAIN FOCUSED ON STUDENT LEARNING. I DO NOT SUPPORT PUTTING DR. AZAIEZ ON LEAVE BASED ON UNPROVEN ACCUSATIONS. LET THE PROPER AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE AND LET THE DUE PROCESS PLAY OUT. WE LIVE IN A SYSTEM THAT ASSUME ONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. AS A PARENT, I MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH WHETHER THE SCHOOL CAN STAY OPEN WHERE THERE ARE STAFF, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS CAN STAY SAFE. AND I HOPE THE BOARD ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE GUIDING THE DISTRICT DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME. IF THE BOARD BELIEVES AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED, PLEASE CONSIDER PUTTING A REASONABLE CONSTRAINTS ON THE COST AND TIMEFRAME. THANK YOU. NEXT IS DONNA TUCKER, FOLLOWED BY JENNY WESTON. DONNA TUCKER? AS I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE, I'M OLD, I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN, I HAVE GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, AND I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF WISDOM. I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO KNOW THAT YOU'D VOTED DR. AZAIEZ INTO PLACE KNOWING THAT HE CAME FROM A VERY SMALL BORDER SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S ALSO VERY DYSFUNCTIONAL. AND AS SUPERINTENDENT, HE WAS NOT ABLE TO SOLVE ANY OF THEIR PROBLEMS THAT I KNOW OF. IN FACT, SOME PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED. NOW YOU HAVE CREDIBLE INFORMATION OF ABUSE. AND I WOULD SAY INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE RUMORS TO KEEP GOING, DO THE INVESTIGATION AS TEA REQUESTED. YOU'VE ARRESTED PARENTS FOR TRYING TO TELL YOU WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU'VE TRIED TO SEND YOUR TWO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT ACTUALLY REPRESENT MY CONCEPTS, MY IDEAS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY COULD NOT FUNCTION IN THEIR ELECTED POSITIONS. AND THAT KIND OF FEELS LIKE TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, BECAUSE I DID THE NUMBERS LAST NIGHT AND I LEARNED THAT SINCE MY LAST KID GRADUATED FROM THIS SCHOOL, THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT I PAY THAT GO DIRECTLY TO THIS ISD IS OVER 175 THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO GET RID OF PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT ME AND I HAVE NO VOICE HERE, I KIND OF LIKE A REFUND. NEXT IS JENNY GUSTON AFTER THAT WILL BE ROB LESHER, AND I KNOW YOU TOLD ME HOW TO [00:15:03] PRONOUNCE IT LAST TIME, AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S CORRECT. HELLO. I'M THE PARENT OF A ROUND ROCK ISD SECOND GRADER. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF DR. AZAIEZ. SINCE THE BOARD CHOSE HIM AS A FINAL CANDIDATE FOR SUPERINTENDENT, THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH BY A SMALL GROUP OF PARENTS TO LIBEL AND SLANDER HIM. THEY HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY PUSHED FALSE NARRATIVES ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WHAT THIS GROUP HAS PRESENTED AS EVIDENCE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE FULL OF INCONSISTENCIES AND ERRONEOUS TIMELINES. THEY HAVE ALSO RELEASED SHARED TEXTS THEY CLAIM WERE FROM DR. A., BUT HAVE BEEN DETERMINED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT TO NOT BE FROM DR. AZAIEZ. IF THIS EVIDENCE WAS PRESENTED TO ONE OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR A REPORT OR A PAPER, IT WOULD BE DISMISSED AS AN INVALID SOURCE. I AM NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT, NOR ARE YOU. I RECOMMEND THE BOARD AND ROUND ROCK ISD FOCUS ON THEIR JOBS, EDUCATION AND LET LAW ENFORCEMENT DO THEIRS. IF LAW ENFORCEMENT FINDS CREDIBLE EVIDENCE TO CHARGE DR. AZAIEZ WITH CRIME, THEN THAT IS WHEN A SUSPENSION FOR DR. AZAIEZ SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. DR. AZAIEZ HAS BEEN WILLING, UNLIKE ANY SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE HIM, TO MEET WITH PARENTS AND PARENT GROUPS, TO LISTEN OPENLY TO THEIR CONCERNS AND GOALS FOR THEIR STUDENT NEEDS AND LEARNING. HE HAS ACTED BASED ON THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND WORKED IN PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARENTS IN A TRUE WAY. DO NOT DISMISS HIM ON UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS. WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE FORMAL CHARGES BY THE AUTHORITIES AND THEN LET INVESTIGATIONS OCCUR. PLEASE STOP WASTING BOARD TIME ON ITEMS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH STUDENT OUTCOMES. THANK U NEXT, IS ROB LESHER. AND AFTER THAT, AS RENEE SIMMS. GOOD AFTERNOON. WHAT I HAVE HERE IS A HASTILY CONSTRUCTED, POORLY DESIGNED VISUAL AID, BUT WHAT IT SHOWS IS THE ORG CHART FOR THIS DISTRICT THAT PULLED IT RIGHT OFF THE WEBSITE. NOW THE IMPORTANT PART OF THAT IS RIGHT HERE. I BLEW THAT UP. OK, SO WHAT YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT HERE IS WHERE THE SUPERINTENDENT LIES IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS, WHERE ARE YOU? THE BOARD LIES IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS. AND THEN WE'RE STUDENTS, PARENTS, COMMUNITY. THESE FOLKS RIGHT HERE, WE'RE AT THE TOP OF THIS FOOD CHAIN. IT IS A FOOD CHAIN, RIGHT? SO THE PROBLEM THAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE TODAY IS PARENTS WHO ARE DISGRUNTLED. WHEN WE'VE BROUGHT THE ISSUE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT TO YOUR ATTENTION, YOU SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN AWARE OF THIS. PEOPLE GOT EMAILS ABOUT IT. THIS GOES BACK TO AUGUST, AND IT'S ONLY TODAY THAT POTENTIALLY YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT. WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE YOU LOOK AT THE AGENDA ITEM YOU CAN'T QUITE TELL AND THE ATTACHMENT TO IT, WHICH WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO NATIONAL NEWS WAS JUST POSTED TODAY. SO THEY ASK IS THIS, IF YOU GUYS WANT TO BE ON THIS BOARD, THEN STEP UP AND DO YOUR JOB RIGHT? TAKE CARE OF THE BUSINESS AT HAND. PUT THIS BEHIND US. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT OR INCAPABLE OF DOING THAT, STEP DOWN, STEP ASIDE AND LET SOMEBODY FROM THIS COMMUNITY TAKE YOUR PLACE. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT THANK YOU. NEXT IS RENE SIMMS AFTER THAT, CHRISTINA COOPER. TRUSTEES, DR. AZAIEZ, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. MY NAME IS RENATA SIMMS. I AM A DISTRICT PARENT WITH NINE KIDS AND WE HAVE HAD ONE OR MORE CHILDREN ATTENDING OUR ISD SCHOOLS CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1999. THE MEETING TODAY IS SIX MONTHS LATE, BUT BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. THE FACT THAT IT TOOK THE TEA LETTER TO DO WHAT CONCERNED PARENTS AND TRUSTEE, WESTON AND BONE HAVE URGED THE FOUR OF YOU SINCE JULY MAKES ME FEEL DISREGARDED AS A PARENT AND CONSTITUENT. THE GOOD NEWS I AM OPEN FOR YOU TO CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS NEGATIVE IMPRESSION. CHANGE MY MIND BY DOING YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND PUT DR. AZAIEZ ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. CHANGE MY MIND BY GOING OVER AND ABOVE THE TEA'S MINIMUM RECOMMENDATION AND SUSPEND HIS EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT PAY. IT WAS OUR TAX MONEY THE FOUR OF YOU HAVE WASTED ON LAWYERS TO WORK FOR HIS DEFENSE ON AN ISSUE THAT IS ENTIRELY HIS PRIVATE PROBLEM. CHANGE MY MIND BY HIRING A TRULY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH COMPANY THAT HAS THE APPROVAL OF ALL SEVEN TRUSTEES TO INVESTIGATE THESE ISSUES, NOT BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE CURRENT DISTRICT LEGAL DEPARTMENT THAT SEEMS TO CONSISTENTLY GIVE YOU ADVICE TO SUPPRESS PARENT INPUT AND AVOID TRANSPARENCY AT ALL COSTS. CHANGE MY MIND ON THIS IMPRESSION THAT YOU AVOID TRANSPARENCY BY SCHEDULING ANY SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS AT A REASONABLE TIME THAT ALLOWS WORKING PARENTS, STAFF AND TEACHERS TO ATTEND. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. [00:20:02] THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHRISTINA COOPER, FOLLOWED BY ERIC NORMAN. AS A TAXPAYER, I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE AT ALL HAVING MY TAX DOLLARS PAY THE EXUBERANT SALARY OF SOMEONE WHO IS CLEARLY A DANGER TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN. I WORKED 13 YEARS FOR A NONPROFIT THAT TOOK IN CHILDREN WHO WERE REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO LIFE THREATENING, ABUSIVE SITUATIONS. I OVERSAW THEIR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM. HAD I ALLOWED ANY VOLUNTEER IN TO VOLUNTEER WITH OUR VULNERABLE POPULATION THAT HAD AN OPEN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ON THEM, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IMMEDIATELY FIRED. I ASKED THE BOARD TO HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW YOU ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU. ERIC NORMAN NEXT, IS DEBORAH DAMON. I'M HOLDING THE TEA MONITOR'S LETTER TO THE BOARD, USUALLY A DOCUMENT LIKE THIS IS POSTED ON THE ISD WEBSITE ALONG WITH THE AGENDA, BUT THAT WASN'T THE CASE UNTIL VERY RECENTLY, I THINK THIS MORNING. THE AGENDA WAS POSTED, BUT THE AFTER THE NATIONAL MEDIA PUBLISHED IT INSTEAD. IN THE LETTER, THE TEA MONITOR DR. FALTESE RECOMMENDS THAT THE BOARD PLAY SUPERINTENDENT AZAIEZ ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND HIRE AN INVESTIGATOR, CITING THE PROTECTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY A TRAVIS COUNTY COURT AS THE REASON TO INVESTIGATE. THIS SHOULD BE THE OBVIOUS IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO AN ALLEGATION AS SERIOUS AS ASSAULT AND BATTERY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE PROTECTIVE ORDER AND THE EVIDENCE SURROUNDING IT IS NOT NEW INFORMATION. THIS, THE VERY SAME FACTS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THIS BOARD BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SIX MONTHS AGO. THIS BOARD'S RESPONSE WAS TO SHUT DOWN, SHOUT DOWN THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND USE POLICE TO DRAG THEM FROM THE MEETINGS AND HOPE THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY. IT WASN'T UNTIL FOUR MONTHS LATER, UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE, THAT THE BOARD HELD A MEETING ABOUT THE ISSUE, BUT STILL NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. IT'S BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY AND THE STATE APPOINTED MONITOR HELD YOUR FEET TO THE FIRE THAT YOU'RE EVEN HERE TODAY. IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE THIS COVERED UP THAN TO DEAL WITH IT. THE FIVE OF YOU ARE ALL TOO EAGER TO INVESTIGATE TRUSTEE WESTON EMAILS, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN'T CITE A SINGLE LAW OR POLICY THAT'S BEEN BROKEN. AND AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'LL GO TO EXTRAORDINARY LENGTHS TO AVOID INVESTIGATING YOUR SUPERINTENDENT. I CAN ONLY GUESS AT YOUR MOTIVATIONS FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR. I THINK MOST PARENTS HERE WOULD EXPECT THE DISTRICT TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION IF ANY EMPLOYEE WERE ACCUSED OF SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS ASSAULT AND BATTERY. INDEED, IF YOU WOULD HAVE ACTED QUICKLY AND APPROPRIATELY, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY. HOWEVER, THE ONLY ACTION WE'VE SEEN FROM THIS BOARD IS TO SUPPRESS THE TRUTH AND HOPE THAT IT GOES AWAY. NEXT IS DEBORAH DAMOND, FOLLOWED BY PAIGE MCCLEARY. HELLO. I HAVE LIVED IN THE ROUND ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, AND I HAVE RAISED MY KIDS HERE AND I CAN TELL YOU THIS DISTRICT IS NOT THE SAME DISTRICT AND IT JUST PAINS ME TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE FOLLOWED THIS BOARD. I HAVE LISTENED TO YOUR MEETINGS. I FOLLOWED THE NEWS COVERAGE. I'VE KEPT AN OPEN MIND AND I CAN TELL YOU THIS CASE IS VERY DISTURBING. IT IS NOT A GOOD REFLECTION OF WHAT ROUND ROCK USED TO BE. WE USED TO STAND FOR EXCELLENCE. I DON'T SEE THAT IN THIS LEADERSHIP HERE. AND OTHER THAN THE TWO THAT HAVE BEEN BRAVE ENOUGH AND HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP AND SPEAK WHAT IS TRUTH AND TO TRY AND HOLD ACCOUNTABILITY FOR A BAD FIT FOR THIS DISTRICT. THE CHARGES ARE A HUGE DISTRACTION TO WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON, AND THAT IS OUR KIDS AND THE EDUCATION. WE CAN'T FOCUS ON THAT WHEN WE ARE SO BUSY FIGHTING THIS LAWSUIT AND SEEING THE DESTRUCTION THAT'S HAPPENED. IT TAKES A PERSON OF COURAGE AND INTEGRITY TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THEIR LEADERSHIP IS CAUSING A PROBLEM. IT'S CAUSING DIVISION. IT'S CAUSING MAJOR DISTRACTION. IT'S CAUSING EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND FINANCIAL HARM TO THIS DISTRICT, AND ALL OF YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT. AND IT ALSO TAKES COURAGE FOR THAT LEADER TO RECOGNIZE WHEN THEY ARE NOT A GOOD FIT AND TO STEP DOWN VOLUNTARILY. STEP DOWN FROM YOUR POSITION, SIR. YOU'RE NOT FIT AT THIS MOMENT TO TAKE ON THIS LEADERSHIP. AND I WANT INVESTIGATION INTO THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF WHAT OUR DISTRICT IS PAYING FOR [00:25:04] THIS FIGHT. THIS IS A PERSONAL FIGHT. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS DISTRICT AND WE SHOULD NOT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT IS PAIGE MCCLEARY. AND PAIGE, I AM SORRY, I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY. OUR STUDENTS ARE SUPPOSED TO GO FIRST AND I AM STILL GETTING USED TO THIS. YOU'RE GOING TO COME UP TO THIS MICROPHONE, SO I APOLOGIZE. I SHOULD HAVE HAD YOU GO FIRST AND I'M WORKING ON TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS, SO I'M SORRY. IT'S TOTALLY FINE. DON'T EVEN WORRY ABOUT IT. PAIGE IS OUR ONE STUDENT SPEAKER FOR TODAY, SO THANK YOU. OK. HI, MY NAME IS PAIGE MCCLEARY AND I'M A JUNIOR HERE AT ROUND ROCK. I WANT TO BE A TEACHER. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A TEACHER. WATCHING A CHILD LEARN AND GROW IS AN AMAZING GIFT. BUT THE THOUGHT OF ME HAVING TO WORK WITH A MAN LIKE DR. AZAIEZ IS MAKING ME RETHINK MY CAREER CHOICE. HOW CAN YOU EXPECT PEOPLE TO WORK FOR THIS MAN OR EVEN RESPECT HIM? IS THIS REALLY WHAT I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO? A BOSS THAT HAS BEEN CREDIBLY ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE? DO YOU REALLY THINK I WANT TO WORK FOR A MAN THAT HAS A PROTECTIVE ORDER IN PLACE OR IN A DISTRICT WHERE THE BOARD PROTECTS A MAN LIKE THAT. I CURRENTLY HAVE AN INTERNSHIP AT A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND IT'S NOT A SECRET THAT TEACHERS AREN'T THRIVING. THEY ARE BARELY SURVIVING AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING. THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD ARE RUINING ROUND ROCK ISD, AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. WHY PROTECT THIS GUY? WHY KEEP HIM AS A SUPERINTENDENT? IF THIS IS REALLY THE BEST THAT YOU CAN DO? IS THIS BEHAVIOR OK FOR TEACHERS, TOO? WHAT EXAMPLE ARE YOU SETTING IF YOU WON'T FIRE HIM? PLEASE ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS. HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY IS HE WORTH KEEPING IN SPITE OF ALL OF THIS DRAMA? WHAT HAS HE DONE THAT MAKES ALL OF THE BAD PRESS WORTH IT? YOU ALL ARE ON THE NEWS ALL THE TIME, AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE ROUND ROCK ISD HAS REVOLUTIONARY TEACHING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. HAVE ANY OF YOU THOUGHT AT ALL ABOUT THE DAMAGE YOU ARE DOING? IF YOU ARE MAKING ME RETHINK BEING A TEACHER, THE ONLY JOB THAT I HAVE EVER WANTED TO DO, I HATE TO THINK THE DAMAGE THAT YOU'VE ALREADY DONE. IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. LET HIM GO. NEXT WILL BE. NEXT WILL BE JILL FERRIS, FOLLOWED BY JOEL WHENTHEY, JILL FERRIS. JILL FERRIS? NEXT, IS JOEL WHENTHEY? I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE'RE HERE HAVING TO TALK ABOUT THIS GARBAGE SUPERINTENDENT AGAIN. AREN'T YOU TIRED OF THIS? DON'T YOU HAVE ANYTHING BETTER TO DO? THE SITUATION DEFIES ALL LOGIC AND REASON. I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO GRASP WHAT YOU'RE THINKING, BUT I REALLY, REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY. TELL ME WHY. WHY DID YOU HIRE HIM? WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING HIM? WHY DO YOU INSIST ON KEEPING HIM AROUND? AM I SUPPOSED TO BE EXCITED? THE DR. ASAIEZ HASN'T HIT ANYONE RECENTLY? IS THIS THE BAR THAT ROUND ROCK ISD HAS DECIDED TO SET? PUTTING THIS MAN ON PAID LEAVE TO DO AN INVESTIGATION IS A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. KEEPING HIM EMPLOYED DOESN'T VALIDATE YOUR POOR DECISION TO HIRE HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE. STOP TRYING TO JUSTIFY YOUR MISTAKE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO GET A PROTECTIVE ORDER? I DO. I'VE HAD ONE. THERE'S NO REASON TO KEEP THIS MAN AROUND. CALLING IT EVEN CREDIBLE IS ABSOLUTELY MIND BLOWING. I DON'T THINK THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR A LOT, BUT I'M BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THE REAL ISSUE IS THAT I'M ASKING THIS BOARD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. PROTECT OUR KIDS AND OUR TEACHERS, TRY AND RIGHT THE SINKING SHIP. WHEN I LOOK UP THIS BOARD, I SEE A BOARD PRESIDENT THAT THINKS IT'S OK TO PUT OUR HANDS ON AND FLIP OFF AND SAT PROCTOR. AND SO MAYBE I'M THE CRAZY ONE. I EXPECT YOU TO DO BETTER. I EXPECT YOU TO BE BETTER. BUT HERE I AM AGAIN, ASKING YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING. FIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR STEP DOWN FROM THE BOARD. IT'S TIME FOR ROUND ROCK ISD TO MOVE ON. JUST LET HIM GO. JOEL WHENTHEY, NEXT IS JENNIFER WHITE. HELLO. SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS TACT AS BEST I CAN. I'M GOING TO BE A VOICE FOR THE ALLEGED VICTIMS. THERE ARE TWO ALLEGED VICTIMS HERE THAT I DON'T THINK ARE BEING VOCAL. I DON'T HEAR THEM. I HEAR TAXPAYER FUNDING DONATING TO AZAIEZ'S LAWYER, FIGHTING AGAINST THIS ALLEGED VICTIM. YES, IT'S AN ALLEGATION, BUT IT'S GONE SO FAR THAT IT LEAVES ME VERY CONFUSED. THE QUESTION IS WHY WOULD THIS SITTING SUPERINTENDENT NOT BE ON LEAVE WITHOUT PAY? IT'S VERY DISORIENTING. SO LET ME SAY THIS IT WOULD BE A NEGATION OF MY FAITH NOT TO STAND HERE AND BE A VOICE FOR THESE TWO VICTIMS. ALLOW ME TO QUOTE WHAT MY FAITH SAYS, LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY AND FEED? YOU WERE THIRSTY AND GIVE YOU A DRINK? WHEN DID WE SEE YOUR A STRANGER OR WELCOME YOU OR NAKED AND CLOTHE YOU? AND THE KING WILL ANSWER THEM AND SAY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF YOU, MY BROTHERS. [00:30:02] YOU HAVE DONE IT TO ME. SO I TAKE GREAT HEART AND STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY, LET ME TAKE THIS TACT IN MY LAST MINUTE. I HAVE SEEN ABUSIVE PERSONALITIES. IT'S AGAIN ALLEGATIONS DR. AZAIEZ. I WOULD LOVE TO DONATE TO HER AND I HAVE DONATED TO HER LAWYER. SHE'S NOT RICH LIKE YOU. YOU'RE VERY RICH, SIR. AND TAXPAYER MONEY. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS GOING TO PAY FOR YOUR WELL ORCHESTRATED LAWYERS. IT'S VERY DISHEARTENING. I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ABUSE OF PERSONALITIES. THEY DON'T WEAR. THEY DON'T CARRY A PITCHFORK WITH THEM. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT THE COLOR RED WITH A BIG TAIL, WITH AN ARROW ON THE BACK. THAT'S JUST NOT HOW THIS WORKS. PRIOR PRESIDENT, WHERE YOU FREQUENTLY SHUT US DOWN AS CITIZENS WHO VOTED FOR WESTON AND BONE WHOLEHEARTEDLY BECAUSE IT WAS A PERSONAL ISSUE. THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. ABUSE OF PERSONALITIES. BLEED OVER FROM A PERSONAL, PHYSICAL MENTAL ABUSE TO A PROFESSION. SO LET ME RECOMMEND THIS IN MY LAST FIVE SECONDS, EVERY ROUND ROCK ISD STAFF MEMBER SHOULD READ BOOKS BY PSYCHOLOGISTS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH A CAREER OF ABUSERS. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. JENNIFER WHITE, NEXT, IS JESSICA PRYOR. JENNIFER WHITE, NEXT, IS JESSICA PRYOR. THERE YOU GO. THE ROUND ROCK COMMUNITY, THE ROUND ROCK ISD COMMUNITY, SHOULD HEAR ALL THE THINGS THAT THE UNFAITHFUL FIVE PART OF THIS BOARD AREN'T SHARING ABOUT WHY THERE'S A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TEA ABOUT REMOVING THE SUPERINTENDENT. YOU SHOULD ALL WONDER WHY THIS BOARD WAS EAGERLY PUSHING TO GET THIS SUPERINTENDENT HIRED. HE WASN'T THE BEST CANDIDATE, BUT HE'S EASY TO MANIPULATE. INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WERE GIVEN TO THE THEN CANDIDATE BEFORE HE WAS INTERVIEWED. I KNOW THIS. AND IT WAS BY A SITTING BOARD MEMBER. AMBER FELLER ANYTHING TO SHARE? I THINK HE NEEDED ALL THE HELP HE COULD GET. TRUSTEE VESSA I KNOW YOU'RE REALLY DISTRACTED OVER THERE, GIRLFRIEND. WAKE UP, YOU WERE WARNED IN AN EMAIL JULY 5TH FROM A WHISTLEBLOWER ASKING FOR HELP ABOUT AN ABUSIVE MAN, DR. AZAIEZ, YOU IGNORED IT. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, EITHER YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THIS BOARD INFORMED HIM TO THE POINT HE GOT SO ANGRY THAT HE WENT AND ABUSED HIS PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND. THAT'S THE ASSAULT. THAT'S WHY WE'RE ALL REALLY HERE. TRUSTEE BONE, YOU SPOKE TO THIS VICTIM, YOU SHARED YOUR CRY OUT FOR HELP FOR HER. YOU SHARED IT. AND IT WAS DENIED. AMY WEIR, DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT SPEAK TO HER AND IF YOU DID, WHY DID YOU DO NOTHING? THERE WAS AN EMAIL THAT WAS SENT OUT IN MID-JULY TO THIS BOARD, ANOTHER CALL FOR HELP ALL DENIED. WHAT ARE YOU DOING AND WHY ARE YOU PROTECTING THIS MAN? I'M THANKFUL THERE'S A MONITOR SO HE CAN WATCH AND SEE WHAT FEW PEOPLE ARE DOING. WHY ARE YOU KEEPING HIM? DON'T JUST LET HIM OFF WITH PAY. REMOVE HIM WITHOUT PAY. HE'S NOT BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO EARN A SALARY AT THIS POINT. SHAME ON YOU IF YOU VOTE TO ALLOW IT. AND WHY ISN'T IT ALLOWED TO BE VOTED TODAY? WHAT'S WITH YOUR AGENDAS? NO ACTION. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. JESSICA PRYOR? JESSICA PRYOR NEXT TO SHAWNA CUNNINGHAM. MY NAME IS JESSICA PRYOR, AND I HAVE TWO KIDS IN THE DISTRICT. FIRST OF ALL, LET ME SAY IT'S NOT LOST ON ALL OF THIS TAXPAYERS THAT THIS MEETING IS AT 2PM ON A MONDAY. SO, ANY PREVIOUS TALK OF TRANSPARENCY IS PURELY JUST TALK. WHAT I REALLY WANT TO SAY IS THAT I'M EMBARRASSED. THE PRIDE I ONCE FELT IN THE EDUCATION MY CHILDREN RECEIVED AND THE SERVICES THAT WERE OFFERED BY THE DISTRICT IS NOW SHADOWED WITH SHAME. ROUND ROCK ISD IS MAKING NATIONAL NEWS AND NOT FOR GOOD REASONS. BACK IN JUNE 2021, I URGED THIS BOARD TO FURTHER VET DR. AZAIEZ BECAUSE THE DISTURBING REPORTS I HAD HEARD IN HIS PREVIOUS DISTRICT. MY HOPE WAS THAT THEY WERE UNFOUNDED, BUT SADLY, THROUGH THE MONTHS, I HAVE FOUND THAT ALL OF THAT WAS TRUE AND SO MUCH MORE. THERE'S NO WAY A SCHOOL TEACHER WOULD HAVE BEEN HIRED, MUCH LESS KEPT AFTER ALL OF THESE CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THIS BOARD WOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO CALL FOR HIS RESIGNATION OR AT LEAST PUT HIM ON UNPAID LEAVE. BUT ONCE AGAIN, THAT SOMEHOW WASN'T PUT ON THIS AGENDA. IT'S GETTING PRETTY CONVENIENT HOW THESE AGENDAS ARE PLAYING OUT LATELY. WE ALL SEE IT. THANK YOU. SHAWNA CUNNINGHAM, FOLLOWED BY DAVID GRANADO. [00:35:07] HI, I HAVE TWO KIDS IN THE DISTRICT, AND I ACTUALLY MOVED TO ROUND ROCK BECAUSE OF THE GREAT REPUTATION AND QUALITY EDUCATION. BUT NOW THIS DISTRICT HAS BECOME AN EMBARRASSMENT. IT'S ALL OVER NATIONAL MEDIA, THE LAWLESSNESS AND CORRUPTION OF THIS BOARD WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS, MANY PARENTS HAVE BEEN BRINGING YOU THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND YOU IGNORED AND REFUSED US AND TO DO ANY KIND OF INVESTIGATION. IN FACT, YOU EVEN HAD A DAD ARRESTED WHO SIMPLY TRIED TO WARN YOU ABOUT THESE ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS. THE SAME ONES THAT THE TEA IS NOW SENDING YOU A LETTER ABOUT. WHAT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME IS WHY. WHY WOULD YOU COVER THIS UP LIKE, IT'S NO BIG DEAL? THIS MAN IS IS IN CHARGE OF THE DISTRICT. HE HAS A PREGNANT MISTRESS THAT HAS A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST HIM FOR AN ALLEGED FAMILY VIOLENCE. THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN, AND IT SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN TO THIS BOARD. HE SHOULD BE PLACED ON UNPAID LEAVE OR RESIGN. AND NOW YOU'RE ON A RABBIT TRAIL, WASTING MORE TAX DOLLARS DOING AN INVESTIGATION INTO TRUSTEE WESTON BLIND CARBON COPYING THE PUBLIC ON SOME EMAILS. SERIOUSLY. I MEAN, YOU HAVEN'T BEEN WILLING TO INVESTIGATE A SUPERINTENDENT WHO'S A PAID EMPLOYEE FOR SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO WASTE OUR TIME OVER A VOLUNTEER TRUSTEE SENDING AN EMAIL? YOU DO REALIZE HOW THIS LOOKS; RIGHT? DAVID GRANADO, FOLLOWED BY ORLANDO SALINAS. SO FIRST OFF, I DON'T KNOW THE FULL STORY ON ALL THIS STUFF, BUT SUPERINTENDENT AZAIEZ, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT A MAN'S LIFE SHOULD BE DESTROYED, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT FULL DUE PROCESS AND ASSAULT IS A SERIOUS CRIMINAL ALLEGATION, AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. NOW, DUE TO THE SERIOUS OF THE MATTER, I THINK THAT AS A LEADER YOU COULD, IT'S REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT STEPPING DOWN AND AT MINIMUM GOING ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE IS PROPER AT THIS POINT. NOW TO THE BOARD, OR MORE SPECIFICALLY, FIVE OF YOU. YOU'VE MADE WHAT CAN ONLY BE CALLED A MESS HERE. I BELIEVE THE ALLEGED INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AFTER THE VOTE TO INSTATE DR AZAIEZ, BUT YOUR ACTIONS INFLAMED AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION HERE. BUT, YOU KNOW, BACK WHEN WE FIRST, IF YOU GO BACK TO THE VIDEO, YOU USED PROCESS TO SHUT DOWN DISCUSSION AROUND SPECIFIC CONCERNS THAT CAME UP AND PROCESS SHOULD ALWAYS FACILITATE COMMUNICATION, NOT REPLACE IT. IF YOU'LL SEE THAT THE SPECIFIC CONCERNS BEING RAISED WERE MET WITH ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM. NOW, HOW FRUSTRATING IS IT IF YOU HAVE A VERY SPECIFIC CONCRETE CONCERN AND THEN THAT'S MET WITH, OH, YOU'RE JUST A RACIST? AND THEN WHEN YOU SAY THAT I'M NOT A RACIST, THAT'S PROOF OF BEING USED AS PROOF OF YOU BEING A RACIST. I MEAN, SUPER FRUSTRATING. AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, YOU PEOPLE JUST SHUT DOWN, JUST WENT AND SAID, WE'RE NOT GOING TO ADDRESS ANY OF IT AND JUST VOTE. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, MUCH LESS STRESS PLACED ON THE COMMUNITY. IF YOU HAD JUST ADDRESSED PEOPLE'S CONCERNS FROM THE START, AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN COLLABORATIVE. PLEASE USE THIS AS A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND LESS TIME TRYING TO READ MINDS FOR BAD FAITH ARGUMENTS OR WONDERING ABOUT PEOPLE'S PARTICIPATION AND USE MORE TIME ADDRESSING PEOPLE'S ACTUAL WORDS. THANK YOU. ORLANDO SALINAS, FOLLOWED BY MARCIA STRICKLER. GOOD AFTERNOON AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. THANK YOU FOR AFFORDING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. ART PETTY AND RICH PETRO ARE RENOWNED AUTHORS IN THE FIELD OF LEADERSHIP, AND THEY POSIT THAT CREDIBILITY IS THE CURRENCY OF LEADERS. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN I'M HERE TO SAY THAT THIS BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS BANKRUPT. I BELIEVE THAT THERE'S GOODNESS IN EACH OF YOUR HEARTS. I'M ASKING YOU TO TAKE THE SAME ACTION THAT YOU WOULD TAKE IF THESE ALLEGATIONS INVOLVED A ROUND ROCK ISD POLICE OFFICER. IF A POLICE OFFICER IS ALLEGED TO HAVE COMMITTED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THAT OFFICER IS PLACED ON PAID LEAVE. AND IF THE ALLEGATIONS ARE PROVEN TRUE, THEY LOSE THEIR PEACE OFFICER LICENSE HERE IN TEXAS. THEY DON'T WAIT MONTHS FOR THIS ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE TO HAPPEN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE GOODNESS OF YOUR HEARTS. I KNOW THAT IT'S IN THERE. LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING. LET'S MAKE ROUND ROCK THE EXAMPLE AGAIN. I BELIEVE IN EACH OF YOU. THERE'S NO ILL WILL. I LOVE THE COMMENTS THAT WERE EXPRESSED BY OTHERS HERE. LET'S LET LAW ENFORCEMENT DO THEIR JOB AND INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. SO PLEASE, DR. AZAIEZ, I HAVE NO ILL WILL AGAINST YOU. I DON'T JUDGE YOU. I WASN'T THERE. BUT I DO KNOW THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE THIS. THEY ARE THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT THEY RETURN TO THIS BOARD AND [00:40:04] THE BOARD CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION THEN. BUT UNTIL THEN, PLEASE GO ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT THE TEA ASKED FOR. LAST, I WOULD ASK THAT IF A VOTE IS HELD IN CLOSED SESSION, THAT THE RESULTS OF THOSE VOTES BE MADE PUBLIC SO THAT WE, AS ROUND ROCK CITIZENS, KNOW WHO VOTED TO KEEP DR. AZAIEZ IF THAT IS THE CASE. AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I KNOW THERE'S GOODNESS IN YOUR HEART. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING. I BELIEVE YOU STILL HAVE INTEGRITY. PLEASE. MARCIA STRICKLER, FOLLOWED BY CHRISTINA MCGIBNEY. THIS BOARD IS EITHER EITHER COMPLACENT OR COMPLICIT. WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD HERE TODAY, AND THERE'S MANY MORE AFTER. THESE ARE PARENTS, TAXPAYERS, TEACHERS. RESIDENTS COMMUNITY. WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING IS CONTINUING TO DIG A HOLE. IT'S TIME TO DIG OUT. YOU HEARD MIKE WILLIAMS SAY THAT YOU HAVE A LIFELINE NOW, IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. YOU'RE IN A CORNER. QUIT DIGGING THE HOLE, MAKE THE DECISION, MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. AND LET'S MOVE ON AND QUIT WASTING PEOPLE'S TIME, WASTING TAXES. TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. WE, THE PEOPLE, ARE AWARE THAT WE'RE FIGHTING A SPIRITUAL BATTLE HERE IN THIS COUNTY. IT'S NOT JUST THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. LEANDER'S GOT PROBLEMS, EVEN LITTLE FLORENCE HAS PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE SEEING ALL ACROSS WILLIAMSON COUNTY. WE'RE STANDING UP, WE'RE SHOWING UP. AND WE'RE SPEAKING UP, AND IT'S GOT TO STOP. WE WILL GET LOUDER AND BIGGER. DR. AZAIEZ, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO STEP DOWN. TEA HAS GIVEN A RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU NEED TO VOTE FOR. THERE A MONITOR RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE ABOUT TO GET A LOT MORE CONTROLLING IF YOU ALL DON'T MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION HERE. CHRISTINA MCGIBNEY, FOLLOWED BY MIKE SANDERS. CHRISTINA MCGIBNEY? CHRISTINA MCGIBNEY? OK, WE CAN COME BACK NEXT IS MIKE SANDERS, FOLLOWED BY CHUY ZARATE. GOOD AFTERNOON, TRUSTEES. MY NAME IS MIKE SANDERS, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE ONLY AGENDA ITEM THERE IS, WHICH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT. I HAVE HERE A COPY OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT. I'D LIKE TO READ A COUPLE OF SECTIONS. SECTION 2D IN THE CONTRACT SAYS RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT. THE SUPERINTENDENT'S PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE SHALL BE WITHIN THE DISTRICT DURING THE ENTIRE TERM OF THIS CONTRACT. SECTION 8A THEN GOES ON TO TALK ABOUT WHAT GOOD CAUSE IS FOR TERMINATING THE SUPERINTENDENT. IT SAYS THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY BE DISCHARGED FOR GOOD CAUSE UNDER THIS CONTRACT AND IN SECTION NINE, IT SAYS, FAILURE TO MEET THE DISTRICT'S STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT. IN SECTION 12, IT SAYS IMMORALITY, WHICH IS CONDUCT NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE ACCEPTED MORAL. EXCUSE ME, I GOT TO TURN THE PAGE HERE. ACCEPTED MORAL STANDARDS OF THE COMMUNITY ENCOMPASSED BY THE DISTRICT. YOU SHOULD PICTURE THIS MAN COMPLETELY NAKED WITHOUT THAT SUIT COAT ON, WITHOUT THAT TIE ON, WITHOUT THAT SHIRT ON, WITHOUT THOSE PANTS ON, WITHOUT HIS UNDERWEAR ON. COMPLETELY NAKED LAYING ON TOP OF A SCHOOLTEACHER. IMPREGNATING THAT SCHOOL TEACHER. THAT'S THE WAY YOU SHOULD PICTURE THIS MAN COMPLETELY DEVOID OF CHARACTER, COMPLETELY DEVOID OF INTEGRITY. AND AFTER THE FACT, WANTING TO KILL THE CHILD THAT HE JUST PLANTED INSIDE OF HER. HE WANTS TO KILL THAT LITTLE BOY OR THAT LITTLE GIRL. HE SENT TEXT MESSAGES TO HER SAYING, KILL THE BABY, KILL THE BABY. WHAT KIND OF A MAN DO YOU FOLKS WANT FOR A SUPERINTENDENT? HE'S AN ANCHOR AROUND YOUR ANKLES. HE'S PULLING YOU DOWN. SET YOURSELVES FREE OF THIS MAN. [00:45:02] DON'T LET HIM CONTINUE. HE'S A SHAME ON HIS FATHER. HE'S A SHAME ON HIS MOTHER. HE'S A SHAME ON HIS WIFE. HE'S A SHAME ON HIS FAMILY. HE'S BROUGHT SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. THIS MAN IS SHAMEFUL. THIS NAKED MAN IS SHAMEFUL. YOUR TIME IS UP, THANK YOU. CHUY ZARATE FOLLOWED BY JEREMY STORY. WOW. MY NAME'S CHUY ZARATE. I'M THE PROUD FATHER OF THREE WONDERFUL STUDENTS IN THE MCNEIL FEEDER PATTERN. I'M HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF DR. AZAIEZ. I'VE HEARD THAT HE DID SOME AWFUL THINGS. I'VE HEARD THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE. I'VE HEARD THAT THE EVIDENCE IS FABRICATED. I'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS. ALL OF THIS ADDS UP TO NOTHING MORE THAN CONJECTURE AND HEARSAY. WHAT I HAVEN'T HEARD IS WHAT THIS BOARD IS GOING TO DO TO ENSURE POSITIVE STUDENT OUTCOMES AS WE BEGIN THE NEW SEMESTER. TO PUT IT IN A JUVENILE RHYME SO THAT SOME IN THE ROOM CAN UNDERSTAND EASIER. I DON'T CARE IF THERE WAS AN AFFAIR. IF DR AZAIEZ IS GUILTY OF SOMETHING, LET THE AUTHORITIES HANDLE IT, THIS BODY IS NOT A COURT OF LAW. IT'S THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT DESPERATELY NEEDS STRONG LEADERSHIP AT A TIME OF PERIL. THE VIRUS RAGES ON AND WILL PROBABLY GET TO A LEVEL THAT WILL CAUSE SHUTDOWNS, ISOLATION AND, WORST OF ALL, THE LOSS OF LIVES. DR. AZAIEZ IS THE STRONG LEADERSHIP WE NEED RIGHT NOW. I DON'T CARE IF THERE WAS AN AFFAIR. STAY FOCUSED ON THE MATTERS THAT DIRECTLY INFLUENCE OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE DISTRACTED BY FLASHING LIGHTS THAT ARE MEANT TO DERAIL YOU FROM THE GOAL OF BETTER EDUCATION FOR ALL. TO USE A PHRASE FROM THE LOCALLY SUPPORTED BY SOME VILE FASCIST EX-PRESIDENT THAT GOT US TO THIS RIDICULOUS PLACE. THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A WITCH HUNT. I DON'T CARE IF THERE WAS AN AFFAIR. THANKS. JEREMY STORY, FOLLOWED BY KATHY JESTER. SO STUDENT OUTCOMES DO MATTER. THEY MATTER A LOT, BUT LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING TO PRODUCE THOSE OUTCOMES. YOU SEE, THE REAL PROBLEM ISN'T JUST AZAIEZ. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO VOTED HIM IN WHEN THEY WERE WARNED AGAIN AND AGAIN NOT TO. I NOTIFIED EACH OF YOU IN AUGUST PRIVATELY VIA EMAIL WHEN THIS COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED BETTER. YOU ALL IGNORED ME OR ACTUALLY DIDN'T IGNORE ME, TOLD ME THERE WASN'T REALLY A PROBLEM AND YOU WEREN'T GOING TO TALK TO ME. JUN XIAO WENT SO FAR AS TO SAY HE WAS NOT A MAN WITH PLANS. THAT WAS HIS ONLY RESPONSE. I EMAILED YOU AGAIN. YOU IGNORED ME AGAIN. I BEGGED YOU TO CONSIDER YOU DID NOT. I CAME TO A BOARD MEETING. YOU ARRESTED ME. FOR THE SAKE OF SUPPOSEDLY THAT I WASN'T SPEAKING ABOUT SOMETHING, GERMANE, MS. WEIR. DO YOU KNOW THAT TODAY NO ONE WOULD KNOW WHAT IS GERMANE IF FOX NEWS, A NATIONAL MEDIA OUTLET, HAD NOT RELEASED IT BECAUSE YOU GUYS VIOLATED THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT AND HOW YOU PUT TOGETHER THE AGENDA? HERE'S THE THING. ON TOP OF ALL THAT, OUR DISTRICT IS IN FREEFALL. OVER 3000 STUDENTS PLUS HAVE FLED THE DISTRICT. ADMINISTRATORS, ALL THE TOP ADMINISTRATORS, MOST OF THEM, MANY HAVE RESIGNED. TEACHERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, EVEN FILLING CLASSROOMS. WE CONTINUE, THERE'S LAWSUITS AGAINST THE DISTRICT'S UNLAWFUL TAX INCREASES AS A RESULT OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WAS A SURPRISE TO THIS BOARD. LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING TO PRODUCE STUDENT OUTCOMES, AND THAT IS WHY LEADERSHIP MATTERS BEING TALKED ABOUT TODAY. AND LEADERSHIP. IS THE BOARD NOT ACTING LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE? MS. VESSA, STOP LISTENING TO AMBER, TIFFANIE AND AMY. THEY ARE LYING TO YOU. THEY HAVE BEEN LYING TO YOU ALL ALONG. IT IS TIME TO STOP LISTENING TO THEM. YOU GUYS ALL SHOULD RESIGN. YOU SHOULD LEAVE AND RESIGN THIS DISTRICT TODAY, IF YOU DON'T ACT ON THIS ISSUE TODAY. IF YOU DON'T ACT ON IT SOON, YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING WHAT THE TEA DOES NOT WANT TO DO TO THIS DISTRICT. BUT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TEA TAKING OVER THIS DISTRICT. YOU'RE ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. AND SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU STEP DOWN. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. NEXT UP WILL BE KATHY JESTER, FOLLOWED BY MATT KEPLER. KATHY JESTER, FOLLOWED BY MATT KEPPLER. THANKS, JEREMY. I SUPPORT THE TEA MONITOR'S RECOMMENDATION TO PLACE THE SUPERINTENDENT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND HIRE AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR. I ALSO BELIEVE THE TRUSTEES SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND INVESTIGATED FOR ANY POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT OR COVERING UP ANY INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED. I DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A PARENT TO KNOW RIGHT FROM [00:50:02] WRONG OR TO RECOGNIZE ABUSE OF POWER. LIVES MATTER, UNBORN LIVES MATTER. INTEGRITY MATTERS. MATT KEPPLER, FOLLOWED BY [INAUDIBLE]. ALL RIGHT, FIRST OF ALL, I'LL SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY UNTIL THEY UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THIS IS NOT A COURT OF LAW. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT PUTTING HIM IN JAIL. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE DISTRICT. AND THIS IS HAVING HIM IN THIS PLACE IS NOT CORRECT. GUILTY OR INNOCENT? HE'S BRINGING A LOT OF NEGATIVE ATTENTION. HOW IS HE SUPPOSED TO FOCUS ON THE ISSUES OF THE DAY, OF THIS DISTRICT, WHEN HE HAS THIS HANGING OVER HIS HEAD? CLEAR THIS OUT; RIGHT? HOW MANY? HOW MUCH DOES HE GET PAID? LIKE $300,000 A YEAR? I THINK 350 THOUSAND. YOU CAN FIND PLENTY OF CANDIDATES. I'M SURE THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE THAT PLACE. ALL RIGHT. WE DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF BAGGAGE. WE DON'T NEED THIS KIND OF INTERFERENCE. HIS MIND ISN'T ON THE DISTRICT. WE KNOW THIS. MY MIND WOULDN'T BE IF I HAD SOME ALLEGATIONS LIKE THIS HANGING OUT. MAN, I HAD TO LISTEN TO ALL THIS KIND OF STUFF. THIS WOULD BE HORRIBLE; RIGHT? YOU HAVE TO STEP DOWN. THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS JUST STEP DOWN. DON'T MAKE US FORCE YOU OUT. THERE'S NO HONOR IN DOING THAT. JUST STEP OUT, LEAVE. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE A MAN OF HONOR; RIGHT? YOUR FAMILY. WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? I, WELL, I DON'T KNOW. I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON'T RESPECT THEM, YOU DON'T RESPECT THE DISTRICT, YOU SHOULD STEP DOWN. AND IF YOU GUYS DON'T VOTE THEM OUT OR VOTE HIM OUT, I WANT TO KNOW WHY I WANT YOU TO COME OUT HERE AND TELL US WHY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT. ALL RIGHT. BECAUSE THE RIGHT THING TO DO, BUT WE ALL KNOW IS TO JUST THROW THE THROW THE DEAD WEIGHT OVERBOARD, FIND SOMEONE ELSE THAT CAN DO THE JOB THAT DOESN'T BRING THIS NEGATIVE ATTENTION AND LET, YEAH, LET THE COURTS DECIDE GUILT OR INNOCENCE. BUT HE DOESN'T NEED TO BE IN THIS POSITION AND BRINGING EVERYONE DOWN AND BRINGING ALL THIS NEGATIVE ATTENTION. ALL RIGHT. SO JUST GO IN THERE, DO THE RIGHT THING, AND JUST LET'S JUST ALL MOVE ON. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT, [INAUDIBLE]. GOOD AFTERNOON AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST SIX MONTHS SINCE YOU WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THIS SUPERINTENDENT. YOU, AS THE ROUND ROCK ISD BOARD, HAVE THE ULTIMATE DECISION TO MAKE ON YOUR ONE AND ONLY EMPLOYEE TODAY. I'M HOPING THAT YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AND PROTECT OUR MORE THAN FORTY SEVEN THOUSAND STUDENTS AND ROUGHLY 4000 EMPLOYEES IN THE DISTRICT. PLEASE EITHER FIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT OR HAVE HIM GO ON UNPAID LEAVE. AT THE RATE THAT THIS IS GOING, THE SUPERINTENDENT MAY NOT BE HERE WITH US FOR MUCH LONGER, BUT WE, THE TAXPAYERS AND THE PARENTS ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. THIS IS OUR DISTRICT. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS OUR CITY. THIS IS THE WHERE I CALL HOME. WE NEED TO PUT THIS ISSUE BEHIND US AND START THE HEALING PROCESS. WE HAVE MANY OTHER ISSUES TO FOCUS ON, SO PLEASE DO NOT WASTE ANY MORE OF OUR MONEY AND DRAG THIS OUT MUCH LONGER. DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIRE HIM OR RESIGN. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO OUR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS, WE HAVE NINE VIRTUAL SPEAKERS TODAY. THIS MONITOR IS NOT WORKING, SO IF YOU WANT TO BE WATCHING AND YOU'RE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TURN AROUND AND CHECK THAT SCREEN. WE WILL BE GETTING NEW AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT STARTING TOMORROW, SO HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME THAT WE HAVE ANY ISSUES. FIRST, WE'RE GOING TO START WITH LESLIE WINTERS, FOLLOWED BY RACHEL KAPOOR. LESLIE WINTERS, ARE YOU ONLINE? LET'S SEE, I'M OLD. I DON'T SEE HER ONLINE. NEXT IS RACHEL KAPOOR. RACHEL, ARE YOU ONLINE? CAN YOU HEAR US, RACHEL? AFTER, RACHEL, IS DUSTIN CLARK. [00:55:08] LET'S DO A CHECK. CAN ANYONE WHO'S IN THE VIRTUAL ROOM HEAR US RIGHT NOW? PEOPLE SAID THEY DIDN'T GET IT BECAUSE. LINDA, I SEE YOUR VIDEO YOU'RE NOT UP NEXT, BUT CAN YOU HEAR US? THAT'S A THUMBS UP. CAN YOU DO A MIC CHECK REAL QUICK, LINDA, AND SPEAK. CAN YOU SPEAK, LINDA? OH. I'M NOT HEARING ANY AUDIO. HOLD ON REAL QUICK. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS. IT IS 2:57 AND WE ARE ON RECESS. I KNOW THAT TRUSTEE FELLER JUST HIT HER GAVEL AND COULD NOT HEAR IT. IT IS 3:08 AND WE ARE GOING TO CALL BACK TO ORDER. LESLIE WINTERS WAS NOT ON THE VIRTUAL STREAM, SO WE'LL GO TO RACHEL KAPOOR. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN. 12 YEARS AGO, I MOVED TO ROUND ROCK BECAUSE OF [INAUDIBLE] . YES, WE CAN. MS. KAPOOR, WE ARE WORKING AN AUDIO WORKAROUND IN THE BACKGROUND HERE, SO I'M GOING TO LET YOU START OVER AGAIN. OKAY. MY NAME IS RACHEL KAPOOR AND 12 YEARS AGO I MOVED TO ROUND ROCK BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BEFORE I HAD CHILDREN. YEARS BEFORE I HAVE CHILDREN, I'M REGRETTING THIS DECISION AND I DEEPLY REGRET VOTING FOR MR. XIAO TO REPRESENT ME AND MY INTEREST, AND THAT ANY OF THESE BOARD MEMBERS COULD SUPPORT SOMEONE LIKE DR. AZAIEZ WITH CREDIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT AND HAVING BEEN UNFAITHFUL TO HIS WIFE AND HIS FAMILY. IF HE CAN'T KEEP HIS FAMILY TOGETHER BY KEEPING IT IN HIS PANTS, HOW ARE WE GOING TO EXPECT HIM TO BE HONEST ABOUT TAKING CARE OF OUR CHILDREN? I RECOMMEND THAT YOU FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TEA. DR. AZAIEZ, STEP DOWN. WEIR, STEP DOWN. FELLER, STEP DOWN. HARRISON, STEP DOWN. VESSA, STEP DOWN. XIAO, STEP DOWN. REMOVE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HIRE SOMEONE WITH INTEGRITY. NEXT IS DUSTIN CLARK. AFTER THAT WILL BE SHANNON PROBE. HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN. ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS DUSTIN CLARK. [01:00:02] IT'S TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING INSTEAD OF THE THING THAT BENEFITS THE FIVE TRUSTEES THAT VOTED TO HIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT. YOUR INACTION HAS BROUGHT NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT, SHAME AND EMBARRASSMENT ON THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT. AFTER I READ THE TEA LETTER, IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU CAN NO LONGER HIDE THESE ALLEGATIONS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE COMMITTED BY DR. AZAIEZ AGAINST HIS PREGNANT MISTRESS. THE INTENTIONAL, VAGUE POSTING OF THIS AGENDA ITEM WITHOUT LEGAL CONSULTATION SEEMS TO SUGGEST THAT YOU WILL NOT VOTE ON THIS. THESE RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY ANOTHER STALL TACTIC. BUT BASED ON THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE RESTRAINING ORDER, THE TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATION AND THE EXISTING CREDIBLE EVIDENCE YOU MUST CALL AN EMERGENCY MEETING AND VOTE TO ACT ON THE TEA'S RECOMMENDATIONS THIS WEEK. SINCE JULY, TRUSTEES WEIR, FELLER, VESSA, XIAO AND MY FRIEND TIFFANIE HARRISON HAVE RESISTED THE COMMUNITY'S CALLS TO ACT ON THIS MATTER IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN SELF-PRESERVATION. THE TEA LETTER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE IS A CREDIBLE, SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THAT YOU NEED TO STOP IGNORING IT. THE TEA'S RECOMMENDED INVESTIGATION IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS CALLED FOR FOR ALMOST SIX MONTHS. I DOUBT VERY MUCH THE TEA WOULD SEND A RECOMMENDATION LIKE THIS UNLESS THEY HAVE FOUND THE ASSAULT CLAIMS TO BE CREDIBLE. I HEARD SOMEONE SAY THEY DON'T CARE IF THERE WAS AN AFFAIR. WOULD YOU CARE IF IT WAS YOUR SPOUSE THAT WAS UNFAITHFUL TO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN? IS THAT THE TYPE OF INTEGRITY AND CARE, CHARACTER AND RESPECT FOR WOMEN? THIRTY SECONDS. I ALSO HEARD SOMEONE SAY IT'S JUST A SMALL GROUP. YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AND TAKE ACCOUNT. TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE RESISTED OUR EFFORTS TO EXPOSE THIS, CALLING US RACISTS AND BIGOTS. I CALL ON YOU TO JUST JOIN US IN DEMANDING THIS BOARD PACKED ON TO THE TEA'S RECOMMENDATIONS. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT ENDING VIOLENCE IS SOMETHING WE ALL WANT. THERE IS FORGIVENESS FOR THE INACTION OF THE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS, BUT NOT UNTIL THEY DO THE RIGHT THING. AND THEN WITH THESE. YOUR TIME IS UP, THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. NEXT IS SHANNON PROBY, FOLLOWED BY LINDA QUINTANA. GOOD AFTERNOON, TRUSTEES, THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR TIME. AGAIN, MY NAME IS SHANNON PROBY. I'M A PARENT OF TWO FUTURE ROUND ROCK ISD KIDDOS, ONE WHO WILL STARTS KINDER IN THE FALL. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A QUICK REMINDER THAT YOU ARE NOT AN INVESTIGATIVE BODY. PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR DISTRICT'S MONEY ON HIRING AN EXTERNAL INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK INTO A MATTER THE POLICE ARE ALREADY INVESTIGATING. IF YOU DETERMINE SUPERINTENDENT DR. AZAIEZ NEEDS TO BE PLACED ON LEAVE DURING THAT TIME, I WOULD ASK YOU ALL TO EXPLAIN TO STAKEHOLDERS WHY OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF NEED TO TAKE A HIT. WE FUNCTIONED WITHOUT A FULL SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE. DESPITE EVERYONE'S VALUED EFFORTS, WE CAN ALL AGREE A FULL SUPERINTENDENT IS BEST FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY AND NO OFFENSE TO MR. FAULTS. BUT AS AN EDUCATOR, I'VE NOT BEEN WILDLY IMPRESSED WITH HOW TEA CARES FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. SO YOU'LL HAVE TO EXCUSE ME IF I TAKE THIS RECOMMENDATION WITH A GRAIN OF SALT AND THINK YOU SHOULD, TOO. AND REAL QUICKLY, SOME PREVIOUS SPEAKERS SEEMED CONFUSED, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. WE ARE NATIONALLY KNOWN AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE TWO PETULANT MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD HAVE GONE OUT OF THEIR WAY TO MAKE THAT SO. YOU ALL, WE HAVE TO STOP STANDING UP AND SAYING THIS MAN'S DRAMA IS WASTING OUR TIME AND MONEY AND THEN ALSO ASK THEM WE SPEND TIME AND MONEY DOING AN INVESTIGATION. THE APPROPRIATE BODY IS ALREADY INVESTIGATING. YOU KNOW, YOU CAN EMAIL THE BOARD, RIGHT? YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHOW UP HERE AND GRANDSTAND FOR THE PUBLIC. ANYWAY, THANK YOU, TRUSTEES, FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, NEXT IS ROBIN HOENIG. AFTER THAT WILL BE MELISSA. HEY, THERE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. I'M THE PARENT OF A VIRTUAL STUDENT IN THE DISTRICT. I OPPOSE PUTTING DR. AZAIEZ ON INDEFINITE LEAVE AND THROWING THE DISTRICT INTO UPHEAVAL. WE NEED TO LET THE POLICE DO THEIR JOB, AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT FOUND CAUSE TO FILE CHARGES DESPITE MONTHS OF ACCESS TO STATEMENTS PROFFERED BY INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST LIKE DR. AZAIEZ FROM DAY ONE. THE DISTRICT'S JOB IS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE KIDS. DR. AZAIEZ PUSHED FOR SAFE VIRTUAL SCHOOL BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE GUARANTEED FUNDING FOR IT, AND NOW WE HAVE AN ESTABLISHED PROGRAM THAT WE CAN AND SHOULD USE AGAIN. TODAY'S MEETING IS A POOR USE OF YOUR TIME AND HOURS. IT DOESN'T HELP STUDENTS. THE BOARD NEEDS TO WAIT FOR THE POLICE INVESTIGATION TO END, AND THEN IT WILL KNOW WHETHER AN ACTION IS WARRANTED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, NEXT, IS MELISSA WELLESLEY. AND AFTER THAT, AS MEGHNA ROY. HI, I'M HERE, I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF DR. AZAIEZ AND THE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I DO NOT THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE WASTING OUR TIME ON THIS. WE LET THE LEGAL AUTHORITIES TAKE CARE OF THE MATTER AS THEY HAVE SEEN FIT. I DON'T THINK IT'S RIGHT FOR THE TEA TO STEP IN. BUT YOU KNOW, I'M ALSO HERE TO SAY THAT I'VE HEARD FROM AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE TODAY THAT [01:05:01] SAY TO REPRESENT ME AND MY FAMILY IN THE DISTRICT, AND THEY DON'T. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THIS IS, AS MOST OF US KNOW, A WHITE SUPREMACIST NATIONALIST ORGANIZATION WHO IS BENT ON DESTROYING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM SO CHILDREN DON'T GET EDUCATED BECAUSE THAT IS A THREAT TO THEIR AGENDA. BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU I DO SUPPORT EDUCATION AND A MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN OUR DISTRICT DO SUPPORT EDUCATION. THEY SUPPORT YOU FIVE BOARD MEMBERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT AND UNDERSTAND THAT RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC, A GLOBAL DEADLY PANDEMIC. AND IF THESE PEOPLE REALLY CARED ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, THEY'D HAVE MASKS ON. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS MEGHNA ROY. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP KEEP THINGS MOVING AT ROUND ROCK ISD WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE CONTINUING TO BRING THIS DISTRICT DOWN. I'M HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT TO THE BOARD MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY TRUSTEE FELLER, TRUSTEE VESSA, TRUSTEE WEIR, TRUSTEE XIAO AND TRUSTEE HARRISON. WE'LL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR ROUND ROCK ISD ALIVE WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH GOING AGAINST THIS COMMUNITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. I HAVE FAITH IN THIS BOARD THAT YOU WILL FOLLOW THE DUE PROCESS THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE LAW AND NOT BEND OVER TO THE LOUD WHINING OF THE MINORITY THAT HAS SHOWED UP THERE. THEY DO NOT REPRESENT ME. THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OF THIS DISTRICT. WE HAVE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT POSITIONS AND CANDIDATES, INCLUDING SUPREME COURT, THAT HAVE BEEN AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY OF DUE PROCESS. AND I AM ALSO HERE TO HIGHLIGHT WHY NOT ANOTHER AMERICAN HAVE A SIMILAR OPPORTUNITY BEFORE HE IS BEING SLANDERED. AS I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S A CALL FOR PUTTING UP DR. AZAIEZ ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE. I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN, I HOPE THE BOARD FOLLOWS THE RIGHT PROCESS AND DOES NOT BEND OVER TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO DESTABILIZE THE ROUND ROCK SEEING COMMUNITY. IT IS A LOT TO ASK FROM YOU, THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THAT IS THE END OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT, I WILL GO BACK AND CHECK ON TWO PEOPLE WHO DID NOT. YOU SKIP OVER ME? ABSOLUTELY. THIS IS LINDA QUINTANA. OH, OK. LINDA QUINTANA? YES. OK. I'M SORRY, I THOUGHT I CALLED YOUR NAME. I KNOW YOU DID, BUT THEN I THINK SOMEONE WENT IN FRONT OF ME. MY APOLOGIES, LINDA. I APOLOGIZE. NO WORRIES. I'LL GO AHEAD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALLOWING ME THE CHANCE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THIS BOARD. [INAUDIBLE] FOR SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. ONE OF THE THINGS I DO WANT TO SAY VERY CLEARLY IS I DO SUPPORT THE BOARD [INAUDIBLE] AS QUOTE UNQUOTE HAS BEEN SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I ALSO SUPPORT THE SUPERINTENDENT. I SUPPORT DR. A. ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST HIM, VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. I'M A WOMAN. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS. I AM ALSO A TRAINED SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR ADVOCATE. I'VE WORKED WITH RAPE CRISIS VICTIMS. I'VE WORKED WITH DOMESTIC ASSAULT VICTIMS NOW TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE SPEAK ABOUT HOW DISRESPECTFUL AND EVERYTHING IT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD THESE ALLEGATIONS ON THE BOARD. [INAUDIBLE]. THESE ARE PROBABLY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR OUR LAST PRESIDENT. SO I FIND THEIR COMMENTS VERY DISRESPECTFUL AND JUST UNJUST AND VERY HYPOCRITICAL. THE NEXT THING I WANT TO BRING UP IS THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG PUSH TO MOVE THE BOARD MORE TO THE FAR RIGHT AND CONSERVATIVE THAN WHAT IS NEEDED IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND IN THIS AREA. THE PEOPLE THERE SPEAKING DO NOT REPRESENT MYSELF AND MANY OTHER MEMBERS. THEY DO NOT SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IF THEY'RE NOT WEARING MASKS. I'VE SPOKEN TO THE BOARD SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT PROTECTING THE STUDENTS AND PROTECTING THE TEACHER. WE HAVE SCHOOLS WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TEACHERS. TEACHERS ARE GETTING BOOED, TEACHERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE BACK. WE HAVE ONE STUDENT, A FRIEND OF MINE, MY SON'S FRIEND, WHO'S A JUNIOR AT WESTWOOD. [INAUDIBLE]. 30 SECONDS. FOCUS ON STUDENT OUTCOMES. IGNORE THIS NOISE FROM THE RIGHT WING. I'M DISAPPOINTED BY THAT. WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER GETTING ON A PODCAST FOR SOMEONE WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6TH. I WANT TO THANK YOU. I SUPPORT YOU AND I SUPPORT THE FIVE QUOTE UNQUOTE. AND YES, YOU HAVE OUR FULL SUPPORT IN ROUND ROCK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS THAT DID NOT PRESENT WHEN THEIR NAME WAS CALLED, I'LL [01:10:04] GIVE THEM ONE LAST CHANCE CHRISTINA MCGIBNEY, AN IN-PERSON SPEAKER. AND THE LAST IS LESLIE WINTERS DID NOT SEE HER NAME ON THE ZOOM LIST. YOU DIDN'T GET THE EMAILS WERE SENT TO THE. JUST FOR FUTURE REFERENCE TO ANYONE. EMAILS WERE SENT TO EMAIL. THE ZOOM LINK WAS SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESSES PROVIDED ON THE REGISTRATION FORM. SO WHATEVER EMAIL ADDRESS YOU PUT ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM IS WHAT THE LINK WILL BE SENT TO. WE ARE AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION. WE WILL NOW GO INTO CLOSED SESSION. [D. CLOSED SESSION] HMM. EXCUSE ME. PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 551.071, 551.074 THE BOARD WILL REVIEW THE TEA MONITOR'S LETTER REGARDING ROUND ROCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT DR. HAFEDH AZAIEZ. POINT OF ORDER? WHAT IS YOUR POINT? MADAM PRESIDENT, IS THIS AGENDA WRITTEN SUCH THAT THE BOARD CAN VOTE UP OR DOWN ON THE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS FROM TEA THAT WE RECEIVED ON DECEMBER 15TH? I WOULD RECOMMEND ASKING OUR ATTORNEYS IN CLOSED SESSION AND THEN WE CAN LET THE PUBLIC KNOW. WE ARE POSTED FOR A CALLBACK IN ANY MOTIONS COMING OUT OF IT SO WE CAN DISCUSS THAT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS. WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE DOING PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071, THE BOARD WILL CONSULT WITH ITS ATTORNEY REGARDING PENDING TEA COMPLAINTS. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CLOSED SESSION IN THIS ROOM, SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE AUDIENCE TO EXIT THIS ROOM. PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS WITH YOU AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN CLOSED SESSION IS OVER AND YOU CAN RETURN. ALL RIGHT, WE DO HAVE A QUORUM. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED AT 6:33, WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION. I DO NOT HAVE ANY MOTIONS COMING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION. I WILL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. WE HAVE SCHEDULED A MEETING FOR THURSDAY AT SEVEN P.M. IN THE SAME ROOM. THE AGENDA HAS ALREADY BEEN POSTED, SO YOU ARE WELCOME TO LOOK AT THAT MOTION. I MEAN, THAT AGENDA THAT'S ALREADY BEEN POSTED, SO IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER OBJECTIONS, THEN WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 6:33. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.