I know everyone is looking forward to Spring Break. It is hard to believe we are approaching the one-year mark of school operating much differently than ever imagined. It has definitely been a time of challenge and adversity, including the recent winter weather week. Amongst all the trials and tribulations we have continued to overcome in Azle ISD.
As we moved into 2021, we rolled out our “We Are Azle” initiative. As the school district, we are taking the lead role in this endeavor. We hope that this initiative will spread throughout our entire community, showing unity in our community. As a community, we can get through anything together – because “We Are Azle!” Hopefully, you have seen yard signs or window decals around our Azle ISD community. If you would like to request a yard sign or decal for your residence or business please contact your child’s campus or Amanda Moore at amoore@azleisd.net.
The impacts of COVID have not slowed down new home construction within the Azle ISD boundaries. Across the district, new housing developments are quickly progressing, with several more in the early planning phases, both within and outside the Azle city limits. As a reminder, the demographic report presented to our Board of Trustees last fall shows Azle ISD is expected to close 200-250 new homes a year for the next 3-5 years. Over the next 10 years, our student body is projected to grow by 30%, with more than 2,000 new students.
To address the growth, the Azle ISD Board of Trustees charged our Long Range Facilities Planning Committee to review the current and future needs of our school district. The approximately 40 member citizen committee (all AISD taxpayers) consisting of parents, grandparents, business owners, and retired educators presented their recommendation to the Board of Trustees at the February Board Meeting. On Thursday, February 11, our Board approved a May 1 Bond Election. More information regarding the Bond Election will be posted on the Azle ISD website soon.
The COVID-related protocols Azle ISD put in place at the beginning of this school year allowed the District to be the first Tarrant County school district to provide families the choice for in-person instruction. They have also helped to keep in-person instruction available at all campuses throughout the year. We understand that no decision we make will please everyone and ask that you work with us to give our students and staff the best experiences we can under the current guidelines from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH), and Center for Disease Control (CDC).
In closing, I want to once again express my sincere appreciation for the support and grace you have shown this school year. I assure you we will continue to monitor guidelines and recommendations from local health authorities and evaluate all Azle ISD COVID protocols. Hopefully, soon we will return to “normal” school routines, including several upcoming traditional end-of-school-year activities.
I wish you and your family a safe and restful Spring Break.
We Are Azle!
Todd Smith
Superintendent – Azle ISD