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[00:00:05]

IT IS 5:30 ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST THE 24TH, 2022.

[A. CALL TO ORDER]

I HEREBY CALL THIS MEETING OF THE ROUND ROCK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES CALLED BOARD MEETING TO ORDER.

PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE.

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.

[C. PUBLIC COMMENTS TO AGENDA ITEMS ONLY]

ALL RIGHT. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC COMMENT.

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 REQUESTS 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 AND OPINIONS.

AS A REMINDER, THE BOARD ALSO ADOPTED AN ANTI-HATE RESOLUTION ON JANUARY 20TH, 2022, WHERE THE BOARD REAFFIRMED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, RELIGION, SEX, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, AGE OR POLITICAL BELIEFS, AND STANDS AGAINST THE SPEECH THAT INCITES HATRED AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS ANY PERSON.

PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE PUBLIC DOES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, THAT 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 TOWARDS ANY OTHER SPEAKER OR 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 THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND THE 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 IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE ACTION PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

THEREFORE, BOARD MEMBERS MAY NOT DISCUSS THE COMMENTS OF SPEAKERS.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT A LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS DOES NOT INDICATE AGREEMENT OR APPROVAL OF THE COMMENTS.

EACH SPEAKER WILL BE GIVEN 2 MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.

TRUSTEE HARRISON WILL BE THE DESIGNATED TIMEKEEPER AND OUR FIRST SPEAKER WILL BE JEREMY STOREY.

AND YOU'RE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D1.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

SORRY, I FORGOT ABOUT THAT. THAT'S CORRECT.

NO PROBLEM. YOU FILED THREE DISMISSAL REQUESTS IN DUSTIN AND I'S LAWSUIT AGAINST YOU FOR FIRST AMENDMENT, FOURTH AMENDMENT AND 14TH AMENDMENT VIOLATIONS.

WE RESPONDED WITH ABOUT 100 ADDITIONAL PAGES IN RESPONSE TO YOUR DISMISSAL REQUEST, AMENDING OUR SUIT WITH EVEN MORE EVIDENCE AND INCREASING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPLICATED IN YOUR CONSPIRATORIAL ACTS.

WE ALL. IS THIS REGARDING THE SUPERINTENDENTS CONTRACT.

ABSOLUTELY. CAN I HAVE MY TIME BACK IF YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE IT AWAY? CONTINUE AS LONG AS YOU CAN BRING IT BACK TO THE EVALUATION.

WE ALSO RESPONDED WITH FULL THROATED LEGAL REASONING FOR EACH OF YOUR DISMISSAL MOTIONS.

THE SUIT CAME DUE TO YOUR COVERING UP OF MR. AZAIEZ'S MALFEASANCE ACTIONS THAT BEGAN ALL OF THIS.

YOU KNEW HE HAD A PRIOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN DONNA ISD, WHERE HE WAS EMPLOYED.

IT ALSO DETAILS HOW YOU WORK THROUGH PRIVATE MEETINGS TO HIRE HIM IN VIOLATION OF THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

MR. AZAIEZ YOU GAVE HIM PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT AND YOU INCREASED YOUR EFFORTS TO UNLAWFULLY ATTEMPT SILENCING ME AND OTHERS THRU WRONGFUL ARREST FALSE AFFIDAVIT TO THE POLICE AND BLOCKING PARENTS OUT OF A BOARDROOM AND MORE.

I'LL GO ON. ON TUESDAY OF THIS WEEK, A FEDERAL JUDGE DECLARED ALL YOUR DISMISSAL MOTIONS MOOT IN LIGHT OF OUR AMENDED COMPLAINT AND RESPONSES, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW..

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S ABOUT PENDING LITIGATION MATTERS, SO WE NEED IT TO BE ABOUT THE D1 ITEM.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABOUT D1 AND EVERYTHING IS RELEVANT.

THE CLOCK IS STILL GOING THERE.

YOU NEED TO STOP IT. CONTINUE TO KEEP INTERRUPTING ME.

THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW YOU HAVE HIRED THREE LAWYERS AND ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND EFFORT TO KEEP THIS OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE.

IN SHORT. YOU'RE USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

I URGE THIS BOARD NOT TO RENEW MR. AZAIEZ'S CONTRACT AND CERTAINLY NOT TO GIVE HIM A RAISE.

WE ALL KNOW THAT INVESTIGATOR RECOMMENDED THAT THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR RECOMMENDED THAT YOU NOT CONTINUE MR. AZAIEZ'S EMPLOYMENT.

YOU OPENLY HID THE INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT FOR ALMOST SIX MONTHS UNTIL I COULD TO GET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RULING TO FORCE ITS RELEASE.

AND THAT SAME TIME, YOU HAD MR. AZAIEZ'S OWN LAWYERS ISSUE A STATEMENT OF INNOCENCE TO JUSTIFY BRINGING HIM BACK FROM SUSPENSION.

MR. AZAIEZ, I HOLD NO PERSONAL ANIMOSITY TOWARDS YOU.

YOU AND I ARE ALIKE IN THAT WE ARE BOTH SINFUL.

WE ALL NEED GOD'S REDEMPTIONS.

I URGE YOU TO STEP DOWN, RETURN TO YOUR WIFE AND SON IN HOUSTON AND FIND EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE OF LEADING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

I PRAY FOR YOU OFTEN AS GOD BRINGS YOU TO MINE THAT YOUR FAMILY WOULD FIND HEALING, THAT YOU WOULD TURN FROM YOUR PATHWAY OF DECEPTION IF YOU DO I KNOW GOD HAS MUCH REDEMPTION FOR YOU IN THE FUTURE. IN LIGHT OF THIS LAWSUIT, IT'S ABSOLUTELY RELEVANT BECAUSE IT SHOULD INDICATE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO TONIGHT.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS JOHN CAGEY, SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

[00:05:07]

HELLO. I'D LIKE TO TALK TONIGHT ABOUT DR.

AZAIEZ AND HIS WHAT HE'S DONE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

HE'S HAD AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AGAINST HIS TEACHING CERTIFICATION.

HE'S HAD A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST HIM, AND HE'S NOT PERFORMED UP TO YOUR GOALS, WHICH ARE PITIFULLY LOW, BY THE WAY.

LAST WEEK, WE WENT OVER GPM ONE AND TWO.

SOME NUMBERS FROM THAT PRESENTATION.

GPN 1.1 WE PERFORMED AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, 61% VERSUS THE GOAL OF 70%.

1.2 WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS ABOVE GOAL, 69% VERSUS 67%.

1.3 WAS 70% VERSUS THE GOAL OF 73%.

2.1 WAS 61% VERSUS A GOAL OF 68%, AND 2.2 IS 59% VERSUS A GOAL OF 65%. AND 2.3 WAS 72% VERSUS A GOAL OF 79%.

THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A PERFORMANCE THAT DESERVES A RAISE.

DR. AZAIEZ HAS CONTINUED POLICIES THAT WASTE OUR TAXPAYERS DOLLARS.

ON INCREASED SKILL LEARNING INSTEAD OF IMPROVING STUDENTS ACADEMIC OUTCOMES.

THESE FAILED POLICIES MUST END AND THIS MAN MUST GO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS LINDY DOWER SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT DR.

AZAIEZ. I WAS IN A MEETING WITH HIM WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND WE HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS FOR HIM. HE LISTENED AND HE RESPONDED THOUGHTFULLY.

I'VE SEEN HIM INTERACT WITH OTHERS.

I THINK HE HAS IS A GOOD ASSET FOR ROUND ROCK ISD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NEXT IS KRISTI SLAPE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE, F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI. GOOD EVENING, BOARD.

AND DR. AZAIEZ, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT.

I FEEL LIKE THERE IS NO NEED FOR A, AN INCENTIVE BONUS AT THIS TIME.

PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY AND OUR SUPERINTENDENT MAKES $350,000 A YEAR.

SO I BELIEVE THAT IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT FOR SUPERINTENDENT AND WE SHOULD BE RECOUPING SOME OF THAT MONEY FOR OUR TEACHERS AND PUT IN THE CLASSROOMS. AND THIS IS A REMINDER TO REITERATE WHAT MR. [INAUDIBLE] SAID, THAT OUR SUPERINTENDENT STILL IS INVOLVED IN A SCANDAL.

THERE'S BEEN NO STATEMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY REGARDING THE ALLEGATIONS, STILL UNDER A TEA INVESTIGATION.

HE'S THE ONLY SUPERINTENDENT IN TEXAS WITH A PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDER.

THE TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE STILL HAS AN INVESTIGATION THAT IS OPEN.

AS FAR AS THE GOALS FOR THE DISTRICT, THERE REALLY HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC EFFORT TO ADDRESS THESE ABYSMAL THIRD GRADE LITERACY AND MATH GOALS THAT WERE SET BY THIS BOARD.

AND THE SUPERINTENDENT COULD HAVE URGED THE BOARD TO RAISE THE GOALS, BUT THAT WOULD BE THAT WOULD BE HARDER TO ACHIEVE.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS NOT ADDRESSED MY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS ABOUT CHANGING THE POLICY TO REMOVE REMOVE THE EXPLICIT BOOKS WITH THE SEXUAL CONTENT IN THE LIBRARY.

I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE AT ALL ABOUT THAT AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT OR BOARD PRESIDENT COULD PUT ON THE AGENDA.

IT HAS NOT BEEN ON THE AGENDA.

WE HAVE A STUDENT EXODUS.

THERE'S BEEN NO MEANINGFUL SURVEY OF THE 11% OF STUDENTS WHO'VE LEFT THE DISTRICT AS OF TODAY, THE ENROLLMENT REPORT SAYS WE'VE LOST ANOTHER 1287 STUDENTS WHO HAVE LESSONS LEFT SINCE LAST AUGUST.

WE ALSO HAVE A TEACHER EXODUS.

TODAY WE HAVE 12 ADMIN POSITIONS THAT ARE STILL OPEN AND 257 CERTIFIED TEACHER OPENINGS AND ALSO 73 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS SPECIAL ED OPENINGS. A SUPERINTENDENT COULD HAVE REDUCED THE ADMINISTRATIVE BLOAT AND PAID TEACHERS $60,000 A YEAR, WHICH WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY KEPT THEM IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT I BELIEVE. WE'VE ALSO HAD RESIGNATIONS OF OUR POLICE.

YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS KAREN HAWTHORNE AND SHE'S SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D1.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PROFOUND TO SAY.

I DIDN'T SCRIPT ANYTHING, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHOW MY SUPPORT FOR DR.

AZAIEZ. I THINK HE HAS BEEN HAVING TO OVERCOME A WHOLE LOT OF OBSTACLES SINCE HE STARTED AND HASN'T REALLY EVEN HAD MUCH OF A CHANCE TO SHOW WHAT HE CAN DO FOR

[00:10:05]

OUR DISTRICT. BUT THE DECISIONS THAT HE'S MADE HAVE BEEN SOUND ONES, AND I THINK HE'S HAD THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR STUDENTS IN MIND.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS DENISE RAY SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE AND F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

SO I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT HIS CONTRACT.

I'M JUST GOING TO REITERATE WHAT SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAVE SAID.

WE HAVE THE ONLY SUPERINTENDENT IN TEXAS WITH A PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDER, AND HE WAS RESPONSIBLE ALSO FOR USING ISD POLICE TO FORCEFULLY REMOVE PARENTS FROM WHO WERE SPEAKING OUT AT BOARD MEETINGS, THEN LATER HAVING THEM ARRESTED.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE TEA FOR NEARLY A YEAR NOW AND REMAINS SO TO THIS DAY.

PRESIDENT FELLER INTERVIEWED AND SUBSEQUENTLY HIRED AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR TO FINALLY INVESTIGATE HIM AFTER SIX MONTHS OF LEARNING ABOUT HIS PROTECTIVE ORDER.

AND ACCORDING TO THE INVESTIGATOR'S REPORT, SHE CITES THAT BASED ON HER COLLECTIVE FACT FINDINGS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAWS AND RULES OF AN EDUCATOR IN TEXAS, SHE FELT HE COULD NOT COME BACK INTO HIS POSITION AND BE EFFECTIVE.

OUR DISTRICT ENROLLMENT DATA FOR MAY OF 2021 SHOWS 48,237 TOTAL STUDENTS.

AND AS OF YESTERDAY, OUR STUDENT ENROLLMENT IS DOWN 40 TO 45905.

WE'VE LOST OVER 2000 STUDENTS IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR WITH HIM AT THE HELM.

THIS IS EVEN WITH OPEN ENROLLMENT INVITING INTER-DISTRICT TRANSFERS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT WENT ON RECORD WITH COMMUNITY IMPACTS, STATING THAT OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS LEFT THE DISTRICT DUE TO INFLATION AND COST OF LIVING.

100% OF THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS I PERSONALLY KNOW LEFT THE ROUND ROCK ISD FOR LOCAL CHARTER, PRIVATE OR HOMESCHOOL OPTIONS.

ABSOLUTELY NONE OF THEM LEFT DUE TO THE RISE IN COST OF LIVING.

I RECENTLY SPOKE TO DR.

JOHNSON ABOUT HOW ONE WOULD GO ABOUT MEASURING A SUPERINTENDENTS OR INDIVIDUAL'S EFFECTIVENESS ON THE JOB.

HE TOLD ME THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE, LOOK AT THE DATA.

THE EVIDENCE AND THE DATA SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO MAINTAIN HIS ROLE IN THIS CAPACITY, MUCH LESS BE CONSIDERED FOR AN INCENTIVE BONUS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS BRITTNEY TRINITY SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI, I'M MELISSA OAKLEY.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BRITNEY'S BEHALF.

SHE COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT.

IS THAT OKAY? POINT OF ORDER, VALERIE.

SHE DID NOT SIGN UP TO SPEAK.

SHE'S SPEAKING IN BEHALF OF SOME.

SHE HAS TO SIGN UP.

OKAY. I'LL LET HER KNOW.

SHE EMAILED HER STATEMENT, SO IT'S FINE.

SORRY. NEXT IS ALICIA MARKHAM SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI. I'M HERE TODAY TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR EXTENDING DR.

AZAIEZ CONTRACT.

DR. AZAIEZ HAS REACHED OUT TO STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING PARENT GROUPS AND DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS, TO UNDERSTAND THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND BUILD BRIDGES WHERE THERE PREVIOUSLY WERE NONE.

HE PRIORITIZED PLANS TO IMPLEMENT DATA DRIVEN STRATEGIES AIMED AT CLOSING LEARNING GAPS AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR ALL STUDENTS.

AND THIS YEAR, WE HAVE MORE CAMPUSES WITH AN A ACADEMIC RATING THAN EVER.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, NO CAMPUSES BELOW A C.

AS ROUND ROCK CONTINUES TO GROW, WE NEED AN INNOVATIVE LEADER WHO IS WILLING TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS TO EXCEL.

ACTING ON PROVEN STUDIES THAT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INCREASES ACADEMIC READINESS.

DR. AZAIEZ SOUGHT OUT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND THE DISTRICT'S PRE-K PROGRAM.

HIS KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE AN ASSET TO OUR DISTRICT AND OUR STUDENTS.

TALENT, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND CREATIVITY SHOULD SERVE AS THE BACKBONE OF ANY EXCEPTIONAL DISTRICT.

THE FIRST ACTION DR.

AZAIEZ TOOK WHEN HE RETURNED FROM LEAVE WAS AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM WAGE, MAKING AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT TO MANY STAFF MEMBERS, INCLUDING OUR EXCEPTIONALLY HARDWORKING EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS.

HE ALSO HIRED A CFO WHO BROUGHT FINANCIAL STABILITY TO OUR DISTRICT AND EARNED US A SUPERIOR FINANCIAL INTEGRITY RATING.

THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE DR.

A LEADING THE WAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHUY ZARATE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HELLO THERE. I JUST WANT TO SAY QUICKLY THAT ANYTHING I SAY HERE IS MY OPINION AND NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY ORGANIZATION THAT I MIGHT BELONG TO.

SOMEBODY ASKED ME TO SAY THAT, SO I'M SAYING IT.

MY NAME IS CHUY ZARATE.

I'M THE PROUD FATHER OF A GRADUATE AND TWO CURRENT STUDENTS IN THE MCNEIL FEEDER PATTERN.

I'VE COME HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR OUR FANTASTIC SUPERINTENDENT, DR.

AZAIEZ. WE'VE SEEN REMARKABLE CHANGES IN OUR DISTRICT SINCE HE WAS REINSTATED AND GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO EFFECTIVELY LEAD.

WE'VE BEEN RANKED IN THE TOP 25 OF ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE NATION WITH NOT ONE SCHOOL RANKING BELOW A C.

WE'VE A BALANCED BUDGET, THE BEST BUDGET IN YEARS THAT INCLUDES STAFF RAISES AND A $15 PER HOUR MINIMUM WAGE FOR AUXILIARY STAFF WHILE STILL BEING ABLE TO PAY DOWN OUR DEBT.

[00:15:01]

THIS HELPED ENSURE OUR FINANCIAL RATING OF A, WE HAVE A DISTRICT THAT IS SAFER AND READY TO HEAL FROM THE STRAINS OF THE ONGOING PANDEMIC.

STUDENTS FEEL SEEN AND HEARD.

THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A SAFE PLACE THAT THEY BELONG WHEN THEY WALK THE HALLS OF OUR SCHOOLS.

THAT'S DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO HIS LEADERSHIP AND THE HIRING DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY HIM.

WE'VE AN OPEN ENROLLMENT INITIATIVE THAT WILL ATTRACT THE BEST STUDENTS FROM THE AREA TO OUR AMAZING DISTRICT.

WE HAVE A UNIVERSAL PRE-K INITIATIVE SO THAT OUR TINIEST STUDENTS, THEY ARE SO CUTE, CAN GET A HEAD START THAT WILL ONLY LEAD THEM TO ACHIEVING GREATER SUCCESS WHEN THEY'RE OLDER. HE HAS REPEATEDLY SHOWN HIS DEDICATION TO THIS COMMUNITY.

BY ATTENDING EVERY FUNCTION AND MEETING, HE TAKES THE TIME TO LISTEN TO STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS CONCERNS.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT HE'S OUR SUPERINTENDENT.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS JENNIFER WHITE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

SO IN MY BOOK, THE SUPERINTENDENT IS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

YOU KNOW WHY? BECAUSE MY KIDS DESERVE IT.

OUR TEACHERS DESERVE IT.

THE TAXPAYERS DESERVE IT BECAUSE THE SALARY IS $350,000 A YEAR.

SO I'M GOING TO CUT TO THE CHASE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHY HE SHOULDN'T BE HERE.

SO I RAISE MY KIDS NOT TO LIE, TO BE RESPECTFUL AND TO BE GOOD PEOPLE.

THIS GUY HAS LIED.

HE'S DECEIVED THE COMMUNITY THAT HE'S SUPPOSED TO SERVE.

SO HE LIED WHEN HE FIRST ASKED FOR $10,000.

YOU GUYS FAMILY HERE? YOU DIDN'T BRING THEM HERE.

WE KNOW WHY. IN MY BOOK, WHEN YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE FOR YEARS, IT'S CALLED A LIAR.

HE'S THE ONLY SUPERINTENDENT, AS YOU HEARD, PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDER.

HIS CERTIFICATES FLAGGED.

THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.

WHY YOU ALL WANT TO KEEP HIM IS BEYOND ME.

BUT WE KNOW WHY HE WAS FLAGGED.

HE ALLEGEDLY BEAT UP HIS GIRLFRIEND BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO ABORT THE BABY.

PROBLEMATIC. WHAT DOES THAT TELL THE STUDENTS IN THIS DISTRICT? IT'S OKAY TO BEAT UP YOUR GIRLFRIEND.

IT'S OKAY TO BEAT ANYBODY UP, TO LIE AND CHEAT.

WHAT EXAMPLE ARE YOU LEAVING FOR OUR KIDS? I KNOW YOU CAN'T LOOK AT ME.

SO HERE'S YOU ALL.

READ THE INDEX AND REPORT.

YOU GUYS ASKED FOR IT.

YOU PAID FOR IT.

READ IT. EVEN THE SEARCH FIRM WAS LIKE, OH, MY GOSH, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ACTUALLY DONE THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW HE'S A DECEITFUL MAN.

ANN HERSELF SAID HE WAS DIVISIVE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT EVERYBODY WATCHING EVERYBODY HERE, GUESS WHAT? FIVE OF THESE BOARD MEMBERS ARE UP FOR REELECTION.

SO YOU SHOULD NOT PAY HIM HIS CURRENT SALARY, RELEASE HIM FROM HIS CONTRACT.

DON'T GIVE HIM A RAISE. HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT.

DOESN'T EVEN DESERVE THE EXACT THE SALARY HE'S GETTING RIGHT NOW.

BUT AGAIN, YOU'RE ALL UP FOR REELECTION.

EVERYBODY GET OUT AND VOTE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO CLEAN HOUSE.

WE GOT TO CLEAN UP THE MESS.

YOU ARE SORRY WE'RE NOT POSTED TO TALK ABOUT ELECTIONS.

I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER. I'M JUST LETTING THEM KNOW THERE'S OPTIONS.

IF YOU MAKE BAD DECISIONS, YOU GOT TO CLEAN IT UP.

JUST SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM, MA'AM.

NEXT IS KATIE KIRISH SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI. I HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING.

I'M PRETTY SURE THIS IS MY FIRST TIME UP HERE DURING PUBLIC COMMENTS.

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TRUSTEE JOHNSON, THOUGH, YOU ALL KNOW ME.

WELCOME TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, SIR.

DURING ALL MY YEARS OF ENGAGING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD, MY ULTIMATE REQUEST HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT YOU DEVELOP OBJECTIVE PROGRESS MEASURES BY WHICH YOU HOLD YOURSELVES AND THIS DISTRICT ACCOUNTABLE.

SO THAT ALL THE CHILDREN LIVING HERE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL AND THRIVE.

YOU ALL FINALLY HAVE A MECHANISM BY WHICH YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOUR LSG GOALS.

BETTER YET, YOU HAVE A SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT WITH THE BONUS MECHANISM THAT'S TIED TO THEM.

SO. YEAH.

I REALLY HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING.

SORRY. TO THE EXTENT YOU WOULD NOT AGREED ON LSG GOALS, THAT'S ON YOU GUYS, NOT ON HIM.

AND HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB.

SO YOU ALL NEED TO ENTER THE DISCUSSIONS TONIGHT WITH AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH TO OUR VIRTUAL SPEAKERS.

SO GIVE US JUST A SECOND TO SWITCH OVER.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH JAQUIN ELAINE LEE SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR DR.

AZAIEZ.

THOSE OF US WHO INTERACTED WITH HIM IN THE PAST YEAR HAVE FOUND HIM INTELLIGENT, RESPECTFUL AND ENGAGED.

OUR DISTRICT HAS FACED MANY CHALLENGES IN THE PAST YEAR AND HE HAS LED WITH GREAT DEDICATION DESPITE FACING NONSTOP PERSONAL ATTACK.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT OUR STUDENT MADE UP FOR SOME LEARNING LOSS THIS YEAR AND OUR DISTRICT RECEIVED A SUPERIOR RATING IN FINANCIAL INTEGRITY.

WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I HOPE THE BOARD GAVE HIM THE CHANCE TO CONTINUE LEADING OUR DISTRICT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[00:20:02]

NEXT IS LINDSEY LEDYARD SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE, AN F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, WE CAN. GO AHEAD.

I AM SORRY. I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF CHILD RUNNING.

I AM JUST WANTING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR DR.

AZAIEZ.

ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS AND INTERACTIONS I HAVE HAD WITH HIM OVER THE LAST, I GUESS YEARS SINCE HE'S BEEN HIRED HAVE ALL BEEN VERY POSITIVE.

I KNOW THAT THERE IS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK THAT JUST DON'T LIKE HIM, BUT I OFTEN WONDER HOW MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY EVER SPOKEN WITH HIM.

HE SEEMS ENGAGED.

HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO TAKE NEW IDEAS AND HE TAKES NOTES WHEN YOU TALK TO HIM.

HE ATTENDED EVERY STUDENT OUTCOME MEETING AND COMMUNITY FORUM AS THE LOFTY GOALS ARE BEING SET.

I JUST THINK HE'S AN ASSET TO OUR DISTRICT AND I REALLY WANT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT IN GIVING HIM THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO HELP MOVE OUR DISTRICT FORWARD AND HOPEFULLY ACHIEVE EVEN MORE OF A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT? I DO, YES.

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING PREPARED, BUT I'M HERE TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR DR.

AZAIEZ. IN ALL OF THE TIME THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN ROUND ROCK ISD, I HAVE NEVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE SO CLOSELY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT.

HE HAS BEEN THOUGHTFUL.

HE HAS SHOWN GRACE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THOUGH HONESTLY, MANY IN THE COMMUNITY DID NOT DESERVE IT.

HE HAS CHANGED SO MUCH FOR THE BETTER.

HE HAS OPENED UP THE FLOOR FOR THOSE WHO IN THE PAST HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED WITHIN MEETINGS WITHIN THE DISTRICT.

HE HAS A, HE HAS BEEN INTENTIONAL AND JUST WONDERFUL WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS, WITH STUDENTS, WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE, AND THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE ON MANY THINGS, I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH HIM CONTINUOUSLY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY HIM GETTING A RAISE BECAUSE AT THIS POINT I WOULD SAY THAT HE VERY MUCH DESERVES IT.

HE HAS GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND DURING NATIONAL CRISES LIKE A PANDEMIC AND OTHER ILLNESSES.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH DR.

AZAIEZ. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS AMELIA MCFARLAND SPEAKING AGENDA ITEM D ONE, AND F ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

HI. YES? CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD.

OKAY. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT DR.

AZAIEZ AS WELL.

I APPRECIATE AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING HE HAS DONE FOR OUR DISTRICT.

WE THINK HE'S DONE AN AMAZING JOB.

WE ARE HAPPY WITH THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN LITIGATED RELITIGATED AGAIN.

BUT WE WANT TO BE FOCUSED SOLELY ON RECRUITING TEACHERS, RETRAINING TEACHERS AND FOCUSED ON OUR STUDENTS.

AND I THINK DR. AZAIEZ HAS THOSE PRIORITIES IN MIND AND WHEN WE SUPPORT HIM.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS ORLANDO SALINAS SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

GOOD EVENING, PRESIDENT FELLER.

YES, MA'AM. MY NAME IS ORLANDO SALINAS, AND I DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH YOU ALL.

I'VE SPOKEN TO THIS BOARD BEFORE ABOUT THE TOPIC OF LEADERSHIP.

AND WHAT I'M HEARING TONIGHT IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS STILL DIVIDED AND THAT BREAKS MY HEART BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER SO NICELY IN OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR DIVERSITY.

AND I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE OUR DIVERSITY.

ONE OF THE THE MAIN THINGS THAT A TRUSTEE DOES IS HIRE AND FIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND IT'S THAT SUPERINTENDENT THAT THEN AFFECTS CHANGE.

I'VE SAID BEFORE THAT EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS ON LEADERSHIP AND THAT IS SO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

WHATEVER HAPPENED AND DR.

AZIZ'S PERSONAL LIFE IS NOT FOR ME TO JUDGE AND I DON'T JUDGE.

IT APPEARS TO ME THAT SOMETHING IN HIS PERSONAL LIFE HAS AFFECTED HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE, AND THAT HAS JUST CONTINUED TO DIVIDE.

WHAT I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, THOUGH, IS THE IMPORTANCE OF ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

AND SO I WOULD I WOULD ASK AND IMPLORE THIS BOARD BEFORE CONSIDERING ANY PAY RAISE, IS TO LOOK AT OUR STUDENTS PERFORMANCE.

WHAT I SEE AND AS A MEMBER OF THE HISPANIC LATINO COMMUNITY IS THAT LESS THAN 50% OF THIRD GRADE STUDENTS THAT ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC ARE READING AND WRITING AT GRADE LEVEL.

[00:25:01]

THAT IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT DESERVES A RAISE.

AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MULTI CAUSAL ISSUE AND IT REQUIRES AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH.

BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE 30 SECONDS.

IT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED.

AND BEFORE CONSIDERING ANY RAISE, I WOULD ASK, DOES ROUND ROCK ISD HAVE A WAITING LIST? BECAUSE MERIDIAN SCHOOLS DOES.

AND IF NOT, THEN THIS SUPERINTENDENT SHOULD NOT GET A PAY RAISE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS KATHERINE KIZER SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM D ONE.

AND YOU DO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

YES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU BOARD FOR YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

I JUST WANT TO POINT SOME POINT OUT SOME OF THE MORE OBVIOUS THINGS THAT DR.

AZAIEZ HAS DONE IN HIS SHORT TIME WITH US.

FIRST OF ALL, HE GUIDED THE DISTRICT THROUGH ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT YEARS EVER AS WE SUFFERED TEACHER SHORTAGES DURING THE WINTER OMICRON COVID PEAK.

HE AND THE BOARD GAVE BONUSES, RAISES AND OTHER INCENTIVES TO OUR STAFF.

OUR STUDENTS ARE REBOUNDING FROM THE COVID YEARS.

OUR DISTRICT IS DOING PRETTY WELL, ACTUALLY.

THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, BUT WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL.

WE HAVE NO SCHOOLS BELOW A C AND WE HAVE MORE SCHOOLS THAT ARE ABOVE AN A ARE AT AN A THAN EVER BEFORE.

OUR GRADUATION RATE IS 95%.

WE HAVE THE BEST BUDGET IN YEARS WITH A FINANCIAL RATING OF A.

WE'RE DOING THIS PRE-K PARTNERSHIP.

ROUND ROCK CONTINUES TO BE A DESTINATION DISTRICT.

THANK YOU, DR. AZAIEZ.

EVERY DISTRICT IN THE NATION IS EXPERIENCING STAFF AND STUDENT LOSSES RIGHT NOW, BUT HE'S DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB GUIDING OUR DISTRICT THROUGH THIS.

ALSO, JUST TO POINT OUT, EVERY FAMILY THAT LEFT THAT I KNOW LEFT BECAUSE OF LACK OF COVID PRECAUTIONS.

SO IT SEEMS LIKE WE ALL NEED TO STEP OUTSIDE OF OUR BUBBLES A LITTLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT'S THE END OF OUR PUBLIC SPEAKING TONIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION.

BEFORE WE DO TRUSTEES, I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE SET A TIME LIMIT JUST TO KEEP US ON TRACK.

WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND ADD MORE TIME, BUT KIND OF JUST AS A CHECK IN AND ALSO POSSIBLY A BATHROOM BREAK, BECAUSE THEREFORE I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT WE LIMIT THIS FIRST SESSION, CLOSED SESSION TO ONE HOUR AND 30 MINUTES.

I'LL SECOND.

I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY COMMENTS? OKAY. SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR.

ALL OPPOSED. SEEING NONE.

MOTION PASSES, SEVEN ZERO.

[D. CLOSED SESSION]

WE WILL GO INTO OUR FIRST SESSION OF CLOSED SESSION FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF AND THEN WE MAY COME OUT AND MAKE A DECISION.

WE MAY COME OUT AND ADD MORE TIME.

SO LET ME READ US INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CLOSED SESSION SECTION 551.074, THE BOARD WILL MEET TO DISCUSS, DELIBERATE AND CONDUCT THE SUMMATIVE EVALUATION OF THE SUPERINTENDENT AND DISCUSS THE SUPERINTENDENT'S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT.

WE WILL HOLD CLOSED SESSION IN THIS ROOM, SO WE'LL ASK YOU TO GRAB ALL OF YOUR BELONGINGS AND EXIT AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN WE ARE FINISHED.

THANK YOU. IT IS 7:39.

WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.

WE WERE VERY EFFECTIVE WITH OUR TIME, BUT WE NEED ABOUT 30 MORE MINUTES.

SO I'M GOING TO I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT I HEREBY MOVE THAT WE GO BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION FOR NO MORE THAN 30 MINUTES.

I'LL SECOND. I HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND.

ANY COMMENTS? SEEING NONE. ALL IN FAVOR RAISE YOUR HAND.

ALL OPPOSED. SEEING NONE.

MOTION PASSES SEVEN ZERO.

IT IS 7:40. WE ARE BACK IN CLOSED SESSION.

OKAY. IT IS 8:15.

WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.

WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK INTO CLOSED SESSION AND DISCUSS THE EVALUATION WITH DR.

AZAIEZ. SO IT IS 8:15 AND WE ARE BACK IN CLOSED SESSION.

IT IS 9:02 AND WE ARE BACK IN OPEN SESSION.

[E. CALL BACK TO ORDER/EXECUTIVE SESSION MOTIONS]

WE ARE DOING A VERY THOROUGH EVALUATION PROCESS THIS YEAR AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE THE EVALUATION AGAIN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AS WE ARE STILL WORKING BACK AND FORTH AS A TEAM TO GET THIS RIGHT.

SO WITH NOTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY MOTIONS COMING OUT OF CLOSED.

ALL RIGHT. ABOUT.

WE'RE JUST REALLY TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOB OF PUTTING TOGETHER A GOOD EVALUATION TOOL AND AND REALLY HAVING IT BE A PRODUCTIVE PROCESS.

AND IT JUST TAKES TIME.

IT TAKES TIME. SO HAVING NOTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, IT IS 9:03 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.