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Greetings!
Great Things are happening in Azle ISD, as we wrap up our first nine-week grading period and welcome fall. We recently received notice that AHS seniors Austin Tong and Henry Lalonde have been named 2023 National Merit Commended Students. This is an amazing academic accomplishment for any student, but what makes it even more special is that they both started kindergarten in Azle ISD: Henry at Eagle Heights Elementary and Austin at Walnut Creek Elementary.
As expressed in my recent communications, school safety remains a top priority in Azle ISD. I am proud to report that Azle ISD campuses have done well on the recent random TEA Intruder Audits. The district follows all recommended Texas School Safety Center best practices regarding school safety. One of those is the use of Standard Response Protocol (SRP). This includes using standard language and procedures at all campuses so that all students and staff know how to respond in an emergency. The five SRP components include HOLD, SECURE, LOCKDOWN, EVALUATE, and SHELTER. We use these for various types of emergencies, including medical or weather-related situations. Information is clearly visible in ALL classrooms and the procedures are routinely reviewed and practiced at all campuses as well as covered in our mandatory substitute teacher training. Additional information on SRP and other Azle ISD safety practices can be found on our district website at azleisd.net/safetyprotocols.
The Azle ISD Board of Trustees continues to be good stewards of your tax dollars. The recently approved tax rate is more than one cent less than last year and this is the third consecutive year it has been lowered. While a reduction of one penny does not sound like much, it is significant given our community approved nearly $71 million in bond funds during the 2021 elections. Our growth has allowed us to remain one of the lowest tax rates in the north Texas region. The recently approved 2022-2023 budget not only meets our debt obligation but also includes a pre-payment toward the 2014 bond, saving taxpayers over $500,000 in interest.
Once again, we have received a Superior Rating on the annual TEA Financial Integrity Rating (FIRST). This makes 12 consecutive years that Azle ISD has received the highest ranking. Not only are our finance procedures recognized by TEA as Superior practices, but also our strong financial standing allowed us to earn financial ratings of AAA and Aaa Exchange when selling 2021 bonds, allowing for extremely low interest rates, again saving tax dollars.
As we continue to foster a culture of voting in Azle ISD, I would like to remind you that early voting for the November Election starts on October 24 and ends on November 4. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. I encourage everyone to make their voice heard at the polls. We apologize in advance, but as our district grows, we have had to occupy the classrooms previously used as a Tarrant County polling location at our Pre-K campus, so please be sure you are familiar with polling locations.
In closing, as we continue to focus on improving communication, we are asking every family to make sure their child’s online ParentPortal account has the correct phone number and email address listed to ensure that all of our families receive important information from the district and their child’s campus. It is extremely important that we have up-to-date contact information on file for each of our students in order to communicate effectively at all times.
I encourage anyone who is not currently receiving Azle ISD notifications to sign up to receive district messages. Visit azleisd.net/communications for details on how to download our app and sign up for messages.
We Are Azle!
Todd Smith
Superintendent of Schools
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