TEA Asks RRISD To Suspend Superintendent In Lieu Of Assault Case

ROUND ROCK, TX — The Texas Education Agency is asking Round Rock ISD to consider suspending its superintendent in lieu of an investigation that he used school board police to silence his critics and for an alleged assault case.

On Monday, RRISD Board of Trustees held a closed meeting and will meet again Thursday to discuss whether they should suspend Superintendent Dr. Hafedh Azaiez. The push for suspension comes after TEA send a memo to the board on Dec. 15.

The TEA memo addressed to RRISD's board president recommends that the board place Azaiez on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation regarding "the underlying conduct found in a protective order issued by the Travis County District Court."

Azaiez is reportedly facing accusations of assault and of using school board police, both in RRISD and in his former position at Donna ISD, to silence his critics.

Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, a spokeswoman for the school district, previously told Fox News that Azaiez does not currently face criminal charges, but the Travis County Sheriff's Office has confirmed it has an active investigation into Azaiez for alleged assault.

Patch has reached out to the Travis County Sheriff's Office regarding the reported accusations and will update this story when more information is available.

The memo also recommends that the board hire an external investigator to conduct an investigation into Azaiez's conduct.

RRISD students are set to return from winter break on Wednesday, Jan. 5. Azaiez was intendent of RRISD in June 2021.