AZLE — January is School Board Recognition Month in Azle Independent School District and across the nation. The Tri-County Reporter has reached out to area school trustees and asked them to share their experiences, motivations and feelings about serving their community and students in their district.
Sarah Bennett
Sarah Bennett, secretary for the Azle ISD board of trustees, became active in Walnut Creek Elementary’s parent teacher organization in 2007 when her twins were in first grade. After a few years, she became PTO treasurer, a position she held through each of her daughters’ schools until 2015. Bennett’s first term on the board began in 2018 and she’s won each subsequent re-election bid.
“I enjoyed interacting with the teachers and staff and observed their hard work and dedication to each student and Azle ISD,” Bennett said. “I was approached about a board position, discussed it with family, prayed about it, and decided to run. I wanted Azle ISD to better communicate with the public and parents, specifically those new to the district. I could see the great things happening in the schools, but there was a disconnect in communicating that to the community. Although we can always improve, I think we are doing a much better job now.”
Bennett said she feels very honored and humbled to serve. Though her own children graduated in 2019, she enjoys being able to highlight the accomplishments of others in the district in all they do. Getting an up-close look into the lives of graduating students is one of the most rewarding aspects of serving in her position.
“The awards and recognitions at the beginning of each board meeting are so meaningful to me,” Bennett said. “It's rewarding to see, for example, high school kids excel in a CTE program that interests them: welding, nursing, cyber security or culinary arts for a few examples, or the kids of all ages that have won the science fair for their age group. Another rewarding aspect is graduation. Traditional Azle ISD graduation is so full of hope for the future. The graduates are ready to get out there and DO something and their enthusiasm and joy permeate the room. All graduates work hard to complete their coursework, but the Hornet Academy graduation is special. All of these graduates have had a bump in the road to graduation — from ages 18-70. The accomplishment on the faces of those who have had to put extra effort into their studies or those who come back later in life because a high school degree is important to them is heartwarming.”
Tim Brown
Vice President Tim Brown is an Azle graduate himself. He joined the board in 2012 while his children were attending Azle schools.
“I felt like it would be a way for me to give back to the district for taking care of my kids over the years,” Brown said. “I've enjoyed my time on the board, and it is an honor to be able to do so.”
Brown said handing his kids, and others, their high school diploma at their graduation has been the most rewarding aspect of the position.
“It is great to see the sense of accomplishment on their face as you hand them their diploma,” Brown said. “I didn't realize I would get to do (that) until I got on the board. Some of the other rewarding things are being able to watch the awards given out to the students, teachers and staff every month at the school board meetings. The students work so hard, and it is great to watch them be recognized. Likewise, for the teachers and staff who work so diligently to make the schools a great place to be for the students, it's nice to see them recognized as well for their hard work.”
Brown said he has learned much on the school board and that there is a lot of work done behind-the-scenes to ensure the district keeps running in top shape. He is grateful for Azle ISD Superintendent Todd Smith and district staff who put in long hours and the utmost effort for sometimes thankless work.
“They do it though for the love of the kids in our district,” Brown said.
Brandon Geary
The newest addition to Azle ISD’s board of trustees is Brandon Geary in Place 4. Geary joined the board in May after the retirement of longtime trustee and former superintendent Ray Lea. Geary grew up in Azle. After marrying his wife, Misty, they lived in Lake Worth and Benbrook before building a house and coming home to the city about nine years ago. At the time, he had a fifth grader attending Azle Elementary School.
“We loved the quality and care the school was providing him,” Geary said. “As we volunteered at the school dances, we grew deeply connected to the students and the supportive school community.”
Not long after moving back to Azle, Geary joined the district’s long range planning committee where he saw the direct benefits that improved facilities could have on local students. After Merge Church, where he is pastor, moved to Azle from Lake Worth in 2018, he was offered a chance to serve on a district leadership team.
“I loved working alongside various Azle leaders as we discussed the essential needs of our district,” Geary said. “My motivation comes from a desire to have a short-term and long-term focus on service. Here in Azle, we wish to serve the needs of every child, at every opportunity, every day. I want to play a role in continual improvement. Regarding a long-range focus, I desire to add to the voice of our district at the state level. Public education in Texas is in an interesting season, which will have long-term effects on our student's opportunities. I wish to serve in a way that ensures our students are represented, and their needs are heard.”
Geary said since joining the board, he has gained a more profound respect its members and the service they provide for families. He feels a newfound sense of pride when seeing students around town, at sporting events and fine arts performances. He is also thankful for administrators and “difference-makers” that keep the district going day-to-day.
“They are a part of the many reasons Azle is an excellent place for kids to grow and be ready to make a lasting difference,” Geary said. “Seeing the respect they carry from other district leaders gives me a sense of pride and confidence that we have some of the most outstanding leaders. Their culture of growing as leaders and willingness to prioritize open communication with everyone in our community is rare but greatly appreciated. The best days of our district are ahead of us, and that is saying something because where we have been is something worth being proud of.”
Geary said he believes Azle ISD is special in regard to the extent that it cares for the community’s students.
“Serving our students well can be challenging because there is not always a simple solution to difficult situations,” Geary said. “That being said, we are blessed to live in such an incredible community. The support our city provides our students, whether in sports or the fine arts, various UIL competitions, or local service groups, is rare compared to districts across the state. This is one reason we were so excited to come home and be part of the Hornet life! If you have the privilege of spending time with Azle kids and teens, you quickly realize there is great potential in every single one of them. I am proud to recognize their successes and know I played a small role in making a difference … Spending time with our elementary school students excites me about the future of our Hornets. I have also enjoyed meeting and speaking with many passionate people in our community and championing the great things happening in Azle ISD! It is a rewarding adventure to know I have the privilege of serving with so many toward such an important goal as shaping future generations.”