Community Impact Newspaper obtained the report June 9 through an open records request. After a recommendation from Texas Education Agency district monitor David Faltys, the RRISD board of trustees hired third-party investigator Ann Dixon, who presented her report to the board March 8. The report is based on three weeks of interviews with 22 people and reviewing documents, including emails, text messages, police reports and legal documents.
In the report’s executive summary, Dixon stated that in addition to her investigation, Azaiez had two active investigations into his conduct by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office that were related to the scope of Dixon’s findings.
Dixon stated a third accusation investigated by the sheriff’s department could not be substantiated. Dixon’s report also stated the TEA had an active investigation into Azaiez as of the release of the report.
Information from the TCSO confirms that two investigations involving Azaiez have been suspended.
TCSO Senior Public Information Officer Kristen Dark said June 13 that technically, the investigations are suspended, but they would only be reopened if new information or accusations were brought forth to the sheriff’s office.
Community Impact Newspaper is still waiting for responses from the TEA and Donna ISD, Azaiez’s former employer, regarding alleged investigations into his conduct. No charges have been filed against Azaiez.
RRISD board President Amber Feller said when the board voted to reinstate Azaiez as superintendent after a nearly three-month paid suspension from Jan. 6-March 24, she had concluded there is no active investigation into criminal wrongdoing by Azaiez.
“As I said in March, the report conducted by the external investigator, along with the information provided by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office that the investigation into Dr. Azaiez is inactive and no charges are forthcoming, provided the board with the facts necessary to make the important decision to reinstate Dr. Azaiez as superintendent of schools,” Feller said in a June 9 email.
Citing further pushback against Azaiez as “misinformation” and “rumors and innuendo,” Feller said she believes the board made the right decision to reinstate Azaiez, and his continued role as superintendent is in the district’s best interest.
“It is time to focus on the students and staff of Round Rock ISD and allow this experienced educator to do his job,” Feller said in the June 9 statement.
The report from March 8 states Dixon had interviews with “RRISD board members, law enforcement personnel, [TEA] administrators, State Board of Education investigators, a superintendent search firm consultant, community members, RRISD administrative staff, employees of another district, attorneys representing the parties in this issue, Azaiez and the non-employee who made the accusations regarding the current superintendent.”
Community Impact Newspaper is not naming the accuser.
Among several findings, the third-party investigation report concluded that Azaiez had a two-year relationship with the accuser that resulted in a settlement agreement between the two parties.
The report also found Azaiez did not disclose information with the RRISD board regarding the settlements or the investigations.
“Based on my collective fact findings and understanding of the laws and rules of an educator in Texas, I did state Dr. Azaiez, in my opinion, could not come back into his position and be effective,” Dixon stated in the report.
Despite Dixon’s recommendation and after several months of investigation, the RRISD board of trustees voted to reinstate Azaeiz in a 5-2 vote March 24 with Trustees Danielle Weston and Mary Bone voting no.
Azaiez’s reinstatement was effective March 25.
