[00:00:05]
IT IS 5:30 ON TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2022.
[A. CALL TO ORDER]
I HEREBY CALL THE MEETING OF THE ROUND ROCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES CALLED BOARD MEETING TO ORDER.TRUSTEES VESSA, WESTON, FELLER, HARRISON, WEIR AND BONE ARE PRESENT.
TRUSTEE XIAO WILL BE ARRIVING LATE.
ALL RIGHT, IT IS TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[C. PUBLIC COMMENTS TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY]
AT EACH BOARD MEETING, THE BOARD WILL SET ASIDE TIME TO AFFORD THE GENERAL PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.WE ASK THAT 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 PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, THE RIGHT IS NOT UNLIMITED.
PER TEXAS PENAL CODE 38.13, 42.01, 42.02, 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 TOWARD ANY SPEAKER OR OTHER PERSON, OR TO VIOLATE THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF ANOTHER PERSON.
THE BOARD SHALL NOT TOLERATE DISRUPTION OF THE MEETING BY MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.
IF AFTER AT LEAST ONE MORE INDIVIDUAL WARNING FROM A PRESIDING OFFICER, ANY INDIVIDUAL CONTINUES TO DISRUPT THE MEETING BY HIS OR HER 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'S NOT LISTED UNDER THE ACTION ITEM [INAUDIBLE] OF THE AGENDA, THEREFORE, BOARD MEMBERS MAY NOT DISCUSS THE COMMENTS OF THE SPEAKERS.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT A LACK OF RESPONSE FROM BOARD MEMBERS 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.
WE HAVE 11 PUBLIC SPEAKERS TONIGHT.
FIRST IS DENISE RAY SPEAKING ON ITEM D1 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
WE ARE REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF THE INVESTIGATORS REPORT, THE PARENTS AND TAXPAYERS OF ROUND ROCK ISD DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT OUR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING TOWARD.
FIRST, WE ARE PAYING FOR OUR $350,000 PLUS $10,000 FAMILY RELOCATION PACKAGE AND CAR AND CELL PHONE ALLOWANCE TOWARD THE SALARY OF A MAN WHO WAS HIRED IN SPITE OF MULTIPLE RED FLAGS, AND THOSE FLAGS ARE NO LONGER JUST RED.
THEY ARE NOW CRIMSON STAINED WITH ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT.
AFTER THOROUGH INVESTIGATION, THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO REINSTATE OR TERMINATE THE SUPERINTENDENT.
REGARDLESS OF WHICH OPTION YOU TAKE, YOU OWE IT TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THE EVIDENCE BASED DECISIONS THAT ARE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT.
IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THIS DISTRICT HAS STRUGGLED AND CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE WITH TRANSPARENCY. THE ACTIONS OF THE BOARD HAVE TAINTED OUR DISTRICT.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO REGAIN PUBLIC TRUST.
IF THERE'S NOTHING TO HIDE, THEN YOU'LL HIDE NOTHING.
USE THE INVESTIGATORS REPORT TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT DR.
AZAIEZ DESERVES TO BE REINSTATED OR, ON THE FLIP SIDE, IF THE REPORT, SHOWS THAT HE'S IN VIOLATION OF HIS CONTRACT, THE PUBLIC DESERVES FULL TRANSPARENCY.
BY SHIELDING THE COMMUNITY FROM THE CONTENTS OF THE REPORT, YOU'D BE CREATING MORE QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS, AND YOU'LL CONTINUE TO LOSE PUBLIC TRUST.
AND IF WE CAN'T TRUST YOU TO BE FORTHCOMING, HOW CAN WE TRUST YOU TO MAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF OUR CHILDREN? THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT IS KRISTA LAINE, SPEAKING ON ITEM D1 AND D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
I'M KRISTA LAYNE, AND I HAVE TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WHO HAVE BEEN IN ROUND ROCK ISD SINCE KINDERGARTEN.
TRUSTEES, FIRST THEY CAME FOR DR.
AZAIEZ, NEXT THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU.
THEY'VE COME IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEY'VE COME BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.
THEY'VE COME AS LITTLE VOICES IN THE EAR OF THE TEA, AND THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND STEVE BANNON.
THEY HAVE VICIOUSLY ATTACKED TRUSTEE XIAO AND HARRISON.
THEY HAVE AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST OUT ON TRUSTEE FELLER, WHICH TARGETS HER CHILD.
TRUSTEE AS VESSA AND WEIR, YOU CAN ALSO KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.
THEY'RE COMING FOR YOU TRUSTEES, AND THEY ARE ALSO COMING FOR THIS DISTRICT.
AZAIEZ WILL NOT SAVE THE DISTRICT, REMOVING HIM ONLY CLEARS THE WAY SO THAT THEY CAN
[00:05:04]
INTENSIFY AND FOCUS THEIR ATTACKS ON YOU.CONTINUING UNTIL THEY'VE LAID ENOUGH WOBBLY SUPPORT FOR THE TEA TO TAKE OVER ROUND ROCK ISD, AND EVEN IF YOU FOLLOW THEIR WISHES NOW, THE NEXT DIRECTIVE IS COMING WITH THE SAME THREATS. IF YOU WON'T DRAW THE LINE OVER OUR SUPERINTENDENT, WHERE WILL YOU DRAW IT? WHAT CONTROL HAVE YOU ACTUALLY RETAINED? WHEN YOU VOTE AGAINST YOUR CONSCIENCE TO REMOVE A SUPERINTENDENT, WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU THINK YOU SEND TO THE REST OF YOUR STAFF? YOUR TEACHERS KNOW WHAT THESE ATTACKS ARE LIKE TO, AND THEY ARE WATCHING.
ON DR. AZAIEZ, VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE, VOTE YOUR FREEDOM TO VOTE WITHOUT INTIMIDATION, VOTE TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF YOUR STAFF.
VOTE TO PUT DR. AZAIEZ BACK ON THE JOB BECAUSE ONCE HE'S GONE, WHO DO YOU THINK IS NEXT? THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
NEXT IS RENATE SIMS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
GOOD EVENING, TRUSTEES, I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.
TONIGHT, OR ALL DAY LONG, IT'S ACTUALLY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AND I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO THANK THE TWO TRUSTEES, TRUSTEE BONE AND TRUSTEE WESTON, WHO HAVE JUST RELENTLESSLY ADVOCATED FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS IN THIS ISSUE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT . AND REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU DECIDE TONIGHT, I JUST HOPE THAT WE ARE NOT GOING BACKWARDS ON PROTECTING WOMEN IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
ON TOP OF THAT, AS AN ADDITIONAL, MAYBE LITTLE, BONUS, I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS WHOLE BOARD TO CONSIDER PROTECTING OUR GIRLS IN THESE SCHOOLS TO NOT ALLOW BIOLOGICAL MALES IN FEMALE RESTROOMS. SORRY, WE'RE NOT POSTED FOR THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS REBECCA MOLIS SPEAKING ON ITEM D2 AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT. GOOD EVENING.
ETHICS ARE A FOUNDATION FOR A CIVILIZED SOCIETY.
THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CALLS TO TERMINATE DR.
AZAIEZ'S CONTRACT FOR ETHICS VIOLATIONS ALL BASED ON ALLEGATIONS.
I ASK THE BOARD TO ADDRESS ALL ETHICS VIOLATIONS IF YOU GO THIS ROUTE.
TRUSTEE WESTON HAS VIOLATED THE CODE OF CONDUCT MANY TIMES BRAGGING ABOUT FAKING A MEDICAL EXEMPTION FORM, WALKING OUT OF A MEETING BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T GET HER WAY, BCCING CONFIDENTIAL BOARD EMAILS TO HER FAN CLUB, STORMING OUT OF LAST MONTH'S GRIEVANCE MEETING ABOUT HER ABUSE OF POWER.
THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE EXAMPLES.
THE APPROPRIATE ACTION, A CENSURE.
NEXT IS XIAOQIN ELAINE LI SPEAKING ON ITEM D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
I DON'T SEE HER IN THE AUDIENCE.
NEXT AS JILL FARRIS SPEAKING ON ITEM D1 AND D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
TONIGHT I STAND HERE FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT OUR SUPERINTENDENT.
I KNOW THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY, BUT HERE I AM.
I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT YOU DO NOT HEAR ME.
YOU DO NOT CARE THAT YOU'VE TURNED OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT INTO A MEDIA SENSATION DUMPSTER FIRE CIRCUS. YOU DO NOT CARE THAT YOU'VE WASTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS PROTECTING AND DEFENDING A SUPERINTENDENT THAT YOU NEVER SHOULD HAVE HIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE. YOU DO NOT CARE THAT OUR DISTRICT IS HEMORRHAGING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
YOU DO NOT CARE THAT YOU HAVE STOLEN FROM OUR CHILDREN TO FIGHT FOR A MAN THAT VICIOUSLY ATTACKED THE MOTHER OF HIS UNBORN CHILD.
YOU DO NOT CARE THAT YOU HAVE WASTED COUNTLESS TIME AND ENERGY ON THIS SUPERINTENDENT WHILE OUR STUDENTS FALL FARTHER AND FARTHER BEHIND.
YOU HAVE COMPLETELY LOST TOUCH WITH WHAT SHOULD BE YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS, THE STUDENTS AND STAFF OF ROUND ROCK ISD.
IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I READ THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING AND SAW THAT A SEPARATION AGREEMENT WAS ON THE TABLE.
YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN PRESENTED WITH A DOZEN WAYS IN WHICH THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS VIOLATED HIS CONTRACT AND WE SHOULDN'T WASTE ANOTHER PENNY NOR ANOTHER SECOND OF OUR LIVES ON THIS MAN. IT'S ONE THING TO MAKE A BAD DECISION, BUT IT'S SO MUCH WORSE WHEN YOU REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECTIFY THE SITUATION, AND BY RECTIFY, I DON'T MEAN THROWING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT AZAIEZ TO SECURE A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT THAT KEEPS ALL THE BODIES BURIED.
STUDENTS AND STAFF AREN'T THE ONES THAT CHOSE TO HIRE MORALLY CORRUPT AND INCOMPETENT SUPERINTENDENT, AND YET THEY ARE THE ONES THAT CONTINUE TO PAY FOR IT.
BUT I STAND HERE AND ASK ONE SIMPLE QUESTION, WHO DESERVES THE MONEY MORE?
[00:10:02]
LET'S PUT THE SUPERINTENDENT BEHIND US ONCE AND FOR ALL AND MOVE FORWARD.LET'S ACTUALLY START WORKING ON MAKING OUR SCHOOLS AND MAKING OUR DISTRICT SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF AGAIN.
IN SPITE OF ALL OF OUR DIFFERENCES AT OUR CORE, WE ALL WANT OUR KIDS TO SUCCEED.
WE WANT OUR TEACHERS TO BE HAPPY AND FULFILLED.
LET TODAY BE THE DAY WHEN YOU START TO CARE.
IT'S TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH AND START MAKING DECISIONS THAT WILL ACTUALLY MAKE LIVES BETTER. BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HEAR ME TODAY, IF YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW US THAT YOU DON'T CARE, YOU WON'T EVER BE ABLE TO UNDO THE DAMAGE THAT YOU'VE DONE.
FAMILIES ARE DONE WITH YOUR NONSENSE.
THEY ARE DONE WITH YOUR SCHOOLS, THEY ARE DONE WITH THE DRAMA.
THIS BOARD WILL NEVER GET ANOTHER BOND PASSED.
TIME. THANK YOU. NEXT IS MELISSA WAELCHLI SPEAKING ON ITEM D1 AND D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
NEXT IS JENNIFER WHITE, SPEAKING ON--.
YOU ACTUALLY SIGNED UP FOR C ONE, BUT I'M ASSUMING D1 AND D2? GREAT. THANK YOU. AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
I'M A PARENT OF CHILDREN IN THIS DISTRICT, I'M ALSO A TAXPAYER IN THIS DISTRICT, LIKE MANY OF THESE OTHER INDIVIDUALS.
YOU NEED TO RELEASE THE INVESTIGATION REPORT BECAUSE WE PAID FOR IT.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT COST, THAT SHOULD BE RELEASED OF HOW MUCH WE PAID FOR THIS, BUT WE ALL SHOULD KNOW WE PAID FOR IT.
IT SHOULDN'T JUST BE GIVEN TO YOU GUYS, IT SHOULD BE RELEASED UNREDACTED SO EVERYONE CAN SEE. BECAUSE IF YOU HAD SOMETHING TO HIDE, THAT'LL BE VERY TELLING IF YOU WITHHOLD IT.
IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, SHARE IT.
LET US ALL--. PEOPLE THINK IT'S A HOAX AND EVERYTHING.
IT'S OH, ALL THESE THINGS THAT HE'S NOT.
HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG, THEN RELEASE IT.
I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME INTERESTING THINGS THAT'LL BE TELLING.
GET RID OF HIM, LET'S START FRESH.
AS JILL JUST STATED, YOU KNOW WHAT? WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD, WE'RE HERE FOR OUR CHILDREN.
YOU NEED TO LET HIM GO WITHOUT A PENNY MORE.
WE HAVE PAID HIM $30,000 PLUS EVERY MONTH SINCE HE'D BEEN PUT ON LEAVE, SINCE JANUARY.
WHAT A GREAT DAY THAT WAS, BUT WE'RE STILL PAYING FOR HIM.
HE'S NOT EARNED HIS RIGHT TO RECEIVE ANOTHER PENNY MOVING FORWARD.
VOTE FOR HIM TONIGHT TO GET RID OF HIM.
[CLAPPING] NEXT IS LYNDY DOWER SPEAKING ON ITEMS D1 AND D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY. OH, THIS IS VIRTUAL.
GIVE ME JUST A SECOND TO SWITCH OVER TO OUR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.
HI, AM I ON? YES, I DON'T HAVE VIDEO ON YOU YET, JUST GIVE ME JUST ONE SECOND.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN GET THE ZOOM--.
ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD MISS DOWER.
WELL, MY NAME IS LYNDY DOWER AND I AM A LONG TIME RESIDENT OF ROUND ROCK ISD.
MY ADULT KIDS GRADUATED FROM WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND APPRECIATE IT THAT I CAN DO IT VIRTUALLY.
I WANT YOU TO PLEASE REINSTATE DR.
THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING, BRING HIM BACK IMMEDIATELY SO HE CAN DO THE JOB HE WAS DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED TO DO.
DO NOT ALLOW THE TEA TO USURP YOUR POWER.
YOU THE BOARD WERE ALSO DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED.
NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED YOU TO STAND UP TO BULLYING FROM THE STATE AND FROM PARENTS WHO ARE THE LOUDEST BUT NOT IN THE MAJORITY, AND I KNOW, I THANK YOU ALL, I KNOW YOU DO CARE. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS DUSTIN CLARKE.
[COUGH] EXCUSE ME, DUSTIN CLARK SPEAKING ON ITEM D2, AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.
I DON'T SEE HIM ON THE PARTICIPANT LIST, SO WE'LL GO BACK TO XIAOQIN ELAINE LI.
DIDN'T SEE HER COME IN AND DUSTIN CLARK.
OK, THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE EVENING.
WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION, WE WILL BE HAVING CLOSED SESSION IN THIS ROOM, SO
[D. CLOSED SESSION]
WE'LL ASK ALL THE PARTICIPANTS TO LEAVE.WE'RE GOING TO TAKE OUR ITEMS OUT OF ORDER AND START WITH D2.
PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.071 AND 551.074, THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER AND CONSULT WITH ATTORNEY REGARDING SUPERINTENDENT'S EMPLOYMENT AND CONTRACT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A POSSIBLE SUPERINTENDENT SEPARATION AGREEMENT.
[00:15:01]
IT IS 5:45, WE ARE IN CLOSED SESSION.[E. CALL BACK TO ORDER/EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTIONS]
IT IS 10:55 WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.TRUSTEE WEIR YOU HAVE A MOTION? YEAH, I MOVED TO APPROVE THE SUPERINTENDENT SEPARATION AGREEMENT AS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ANY COMMENTS? I HAVE A COMMENT.
SO I PRAYED THAT THIS BOARD WOULD TURN FROM THE DECEITFULNESS SO THAT OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION WOULD BE PLACED ABOVE EVERYTHING, BUT IT'S OBVIOUS TO ME THAT FOR THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS, THIS BOARD'S ONLY INTERESTED IN THEMSELVES AND COVERING UP THEIR OWN INDISCRETIONS. THIS BOARD SHOULD NOT BE MAKING DECISIONS.
MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD HAVE ATTEMPTED TO POISON THE INVESTIGATION AND WHEN THAT DIDN'T SUCCEED, ATTEMPTED TO DISCREDIT THE INVESTIGATOR BY SPREADING RUMORS AND LIES IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT AN EDUCATOR THAT HAS DECADES OF HONORABLE SERVICE.
MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE INVESTIGATION FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES TO HUNT DOWN AN ALLEGED VICTIM WHO WAS PREGNANT AND PHOTOGRAPH HER, WHICH HAD NO RELEVANCE TO THE APPROVED INVESTIGATION, BUT WITH SELF-SERVING.
MEMBERS HAVE SPREAD MISINFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND OUTRIGHT LIED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.
THIS BOARD HAS AND CONTINUES TO IGNORE CREDIBLE INFORMATION FROM EDUCATORS, STAFF AND THE PUBLIC. THIS BOARD HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE BASIC FACTS THAT ARE BACKED UP BY EVIDENCE THAT IS KNOWN TO BE TRUE.
INSTEAD, THIS BOARD HAS GONE OFF THE RAILS TO MAKE UP AND DISCREDIT THOSE SPEAKING AND SEEKING THE TRUTH, INCLUDING HAVING A FATHER ARRESTED.
THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD BE DEMANDING WHY SOME OF THIS BOARD ARE GOING TO SUCH EXTREME MEASURES TO HIDE THE TRUTH.
WHAT DO SOME MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD HAVE TO GAIN? MEMBERS HAVE USED DISTRICT RESOURCES TO ATTACK OTHER MEMBERS IN THE HOPES OF SILENCING THE TRUTH. TRUSTEE WESTON AND I HAVE CONTINUOUSLY BEEN ATTACKED SINCE I BROUGHT FORWARD CREDIBLE INFORMATION AND CONTINUE TO SEEK TRUTH.
I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR ANYTHING THAN FOLLOWING SOUND PROTOCOL AND SEEKING THE TRUTH TO PROTECT THIS DISTRICT.
THE BAD FAITH FIVE ON THE BOARD HAVE ONLY SOUGHT TO DESTROY THE BOARD THROUGH SLANDERING US AND FORCING US TO RESIGN.
WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE SPECIFICALLY AGAINST TRUSTEE WESTON IS APPALLING AND, IN MY OPINION, AN ABUSE OF POWER BY LEADERS OF THIS BOARD.
I SEEK TO SERVE THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT THAT IS ON THIS EARTH, AND THAT IS OUR CHILDREN, WHILE MOST OF US ON THIS BOARD HAVE MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE.
I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS SERVING OUR STUDENTS.
IF THIS BOARD CHOOSES ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL AGREEMENT AT THIS POINT, I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IT IS HUSH MONEY TO KEEP THE SECRETS OF SOME TRUSTEES DEEPLY HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC TO PROTECT THE TRUSTEE'S OWN INTEREST.
TRUSTEE WESTON AND I ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
WE ARE HERE ON THIS BOARD TO STAND FOR THE TRUTH AND PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF ROUND ROCK ISD FROM THOSE TRUSTEES THAT HAVE AND WOULD CONTINUE TO USE THEIR POWER AND DISTRICT RESOURCES OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR ANYTHING ELSE THAN EDUCATING THE CHILDREN OF ROUND ROCK ISD.
PROVERBS 12:22 STATES, THE LORD DETEST LYING LIPS, BUT HE DELIGHTS IN THOSE THAT TELL TRUTH. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT THE TRUTH BE SOUGHT IN ALL ACTIONS OF THIS BOARD.
THE MEMBERS THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO BE DECEITFUL AND DISHONEST SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY AND SAVE OUR DISTRICT AND OUR CHILDREN FROM THE SHAME YOU HAVE BROUGHT AND CONTINUE TO BRING TO THIS DISTRICT.
OK. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? TRUSTEE WESTON. SO TONIGHT IS THE LATEST CHAPTER IN WHAT I BELIEVE HAS BEEN A CASE STUDY, AND A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP ON THE PART OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, IN MY VIEW . ON JANUARY 6TH, 2022, THIS BOARD PLACED THE SUPERINTENDENT ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND HIRED AN OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE.
WE RECEIVED A DRAFT REPORT FROM THE INVESTIGATOR ON JANUARY 30TH.
WE'VE BEEN SITTING ON IT FOR 38 DAYS.
IN MY VIEW, THIS IS EXCESSIVE AND IT FALLS SHORT OF THE EXPECTATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
I WON'T BE VOTING FOR THE TERMS OF THIS SETTLEMENT.
MANY OF US RAN ON A PLATFORM OF TRANSPARENCY, THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY EXERCISE IT. IT FEELS LIKE HUSH MONEY TO ME.
THE SUPERINTENDENT'S BEEN ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE FOR 61 DAYS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION FOR ALL OF THE DELAYS, I KEPT ASKING TO ADDRESS THIS SOONER.
TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS SPENT ON THE INVESTIGATION, AND I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT TRUSTEES, SOME OF THE TRUSTEES, BEHAVIOR DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY VIEW PRIOR TO ME GETTING ELECTED, AND ESPECIALLY NOW THAT I SIT AS A
[00:20:04]
TEMPORARY STEWARD OF THIS SEAT, THAT THE TAX DOLLARS OF OUR COMMUNITY ARE NOT INTENDED FOR SETTLEMENTS AND IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE HUSH MONEY.TAX DOLLARS, THE INTENT OF THEM, IS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS AND TO PREPARE THEM FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE. I AM MANY THINGS, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I AM IS A PARENT AND I HAVE CHILDREN IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
THEY'VE SPENT THE LAST DECADE PLUS OF THEIR LIVES GROWING UP HERE, AND I TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY HERE VERY SERIOUSLY.
AGAIN, IN MY VIEW, THIS IS A CASE STUDY AND A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP, AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS WILL NOT AGE WELL.
I HAVE REAL DEEP CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT LIKE DR.
BONE SAID, I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.
TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY CAN ONLY BE EVADED FOR SO LONG, AND I BELIEVE BOTH ARE ON THE MARCH. TRUSTEE VESSA.
WELL, I DIDN'T GO BACKSTAGE AND PREPARE REMARKS, I WENT AND JUST REALLY PRAYERFULLY CONSIDERED WHAT WAS BEFORE US BECAUSE THIS IS A REALLY HARD DECISION, THIS IS REALLY HARD . AND I'M JUST SO SAD FOR ALL OF IT, AND I JUST SPEND MY DAYS JUST PRAYING IN MY HOUSE AND FASTING AND JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS I POSSIBLY CAN FOR THIS DISTRICT, AND IT WAS GUT WRENCHING TO COME TO THIS CONCLUSION.
OKAY? LIKE FOR ME PERSONALLY, JUST ABSOLUTELY GUT WRENCHING, AND ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS SAID, I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY IN RESPONSE, TO BE HONEST. I THINK PEOPLE KNOW WHO I AM.
I'VE LIVED HERE FOR A LONG TIME AND I'VE SERVED IN MANY CAPACITIES IN THIS COMMUNITY, BOTH AT MY SCHOOL AND IN MY CHURCH AND MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS.
PEOPLE KNOW WHO I AM AND THEY KNOW THE DECISIONS THAT I MAKE AND HOW I GO ABOUT MY LIFE, AND I'M TELLING YOU THIS IS REALLY HARD, BUT I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.
AND I DID NOT KNOW IF I REALLY FELT THAT WAY.
SO I'VE JUST PRAYED AND JUST ASKED THAT GOD WOULD HELP ME MAKE THE BEST DECISION POSSIBLE, AND THERE ARE THOSE WHO WILL DISAGREE, AND THERE WERE THOSE WHO AGREE.
HONESTLY, AT THIS POINT, I JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH MYSELF, AND I'M JUST DOING THE VERY BEST THAT I CAN, AND CERTAINLY, I HAVE NOT CEASED PRAYING FOR WISDOM AND DISCERNMENT BECAUSE IF WE'RE GOING TO QUOTE SCRIPTURE, JAMES 1 TALKS ABOUT, IF YOU WANT WISDOM, PRAY FOR IT. ASK FOR IT AND HE'LL GIVE IT TO YOU, AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS JUST WHAT THE LORD HAS PUT ON MY HEART TO SECOND THOUGHT A MOTION.
I'LL JUST BRIEFLY STATE THAT I HOPE THIS BOARD CAN MOVE FORWARD, AND I HOPE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WON'T CONTINUE TO SOW SEEDS OF DISCORD AND DOUBT IN THE COMMUNITY WHEN THEY DON'T GET THEIR WAY.
THE WAY A BOARD WORKS IS THERE SEVEN PEOPLE, EACH PERSON HAS A VOTE, WE'RE DULY ELECTED BY THE COMMUNITY, WHEN WE LOSE A VOTE WE AGREE, BASED ON OUR BOARD ETHICS, TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS.
AND I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S BEEN SOME GRANDSTANDING, BUT WE HAVE STUDENTS THAT ARE COUNTING ON US AND NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME OF THIS VOTE, I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.
AND WITH THAT IN MIND, I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION.
WELL, I DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT WE NEED TO SECOND IT, AND HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY'S DONE.
JUN AND I AREN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING.
I DON'T HAVE A SECOND FOR CALL THE QUESTION.
SO I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
THE ONLY THING THAT I WOULD SAY IS, I THINK IT'S QUITE OBVIOUS FROM THE COMMENTS ON THE DAIS RIGHT NOW WHY WE HAVE HAD TO COME TO THE DECISION THAT WE DID.
BECAUSE OF THE GRAVITY OF THIS, I'M GOING TO CALL FOR A ROLL-CALL VOTE.
TRUSTEE XIAO. NO FOR SETTLEMENT.
[00:25:01]
YES.OK, THEN I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN.
SO THE MOTION FAILS FOUR, TWO, ONE.
ANY OTHER MOTIONS COMING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION? YEAH, I HAVE ONE. I MOVED TO MAKE THE REPORT FINAL.
ANY COMMENTS FROM TRUSTEES? I WOULD JUST SAY THAT SINCE THIS IS TAXPAYER MONEY, THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE THE REPORT, AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL GET WIDE SUPPORT ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND FROM ALL PARENTS AND STAFF AND EVERYBODY.
SO I--. TRANSPARENCY, I THINK THE REPORT SHOULD BE FINALIZED AND GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC.
TRUSTEE VESSA? I MEAN, I AGREE, I THINK MOST PEOPLE WANT TO SEE WHAT'S IN THE REPORT.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE RELEASED AND PEOPLE CAN DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO BASED ON IT.
OK, I HAVE A MOTION AND THE SECOND, ANY THE OTHER COMMENTS? I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, THE MOTION WAS TO FINALIZE THE REPORT, NOT TO RELEASE IT RIGHT? IT'S TO FINALIZE IT.
YEAH, THE MOTION WAS TO FINALIZE THE REPORT, MAKE IT A FINAL REPORT.
OK, I HAVE A MOTION AN A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
SO TO BE CLEAR, A FINAL REPORT MAKES IT SUBJECT TO THE PIA, RIGHT? YES. SO ANY REPORT, INVESTIGATION REPORT WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT, SO WHETHER OR NOT IT BECOMES RELEASABLE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES ON A PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT DECISION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR HAND.
ALL OPPOSED? ABSTAIN? MOTION PASSES SIX, ZERO, ONE.
I PLANNED FOR A CONTINGENCY IF WE DID NOT HAVE A FINAL DECISION TONIGHT ON THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. I ASKED TRUSTEES TO RSVP WITH PATTY, SO FAR I HAVE NOT RECEIVED RESPONSES FROM TRUSTEE WESTON, TRUSTEE BONE AND TRUSTEE XIAO FOR A MEETING ON MARCH THE 21ST.
EXPECT A MEETING TO BE CALLED THAT NIGHT AND WE WILL ADDRESS THESE SUPERINTENDENTS EMPLOYMENT STATUS ON THAT EVENING.
WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.