Superintendent Todd Smith started the new year by telling parents he was “saddened by the negativity” brought upon Azle Independent School District by media reports about a coach charged with sexually assaulting a student and the girl’s subsequent sex abuse lawsuit.
Smith’s “Happy New Year” message addressed “some of the negativity many of you may have seen or heard over the past several weeks on various social media pages or news media outlets.”
“I am deeply saddened by the negativity this situation has brought upon Azle ISD and our Azle ISD community, as well as the unwanted concerns or feelings it brings to you as a parent,” stated the superintendent.
The “situation” refers to accusations against teacher and coach Carlos Font Santiago, who was working at Azle High School when he was first arrested last year for alleged sex crimes against a 16-year-old student athlete that occurred in 2021 and 2022.
Font Santiago was arrested in April for improper relationship between educator and student, and arrested again in December on an additional charge of sexual assault of a child.
The assaults allegedly took place in Font Santiago’s classroom during school hours but ended when his wife began working as an athletic trainer at Azle High School in August 2022. Since his December arrest, she has changed her last name on social media and disappeared from the Azle ISD staff directory.
The victim, now an adult, disclosed Font Santiago’s past sexual abuse to her family and Azle police last April, after learning that the coach had been accused of sending inappropriate messages to another female student at Azle High School.
She also filed a federal lawsuit in August against Font Santiago, Azle ISD, Smith, and then-athletic director Rebecca Spurlock, alleging the district and Spurlock failed to act on or even investigate Font Santiago’s known inappropriate behavior.
Azle ISD and Smith filed motions to dismiss the suit. Spurlock also claimed immunity from liability as a government employee, which blocked any discovery in the case until her claim is resolved in court.
“While we typically do not speak or comment on pending litigation, we offer the below statement as it relates to the Jane Doe vs Azle ISD lawsuit filed on August 12, 2025,” wrote Smith.
The civil lawsuit is being handled by our insurance provider, TASB (Texas Association of School Boards). They assigned us legal representation via our insurance premium coverage.
The second arrest for sexual assault on Friday, December 12, did not involve another victim or additional victims. This was the conclusion of the Azle Police Department’s ongoing investigation from the first arrest on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
“We all know that a lot of what is being said or shared is not the truth, nor who we are as a school district. You, as parents and guardians, along with our students, staff, and community, all help make Azle ISD a special place,” the superintendent continued.
“This situation has helped remind us of the importance of what we are constantly telling all students and staff, ‘See Something … Say Something,’” he added. “Wishing everyone a successful and enjoyable spring semester!”
Some local residents were taken aback by Smith’s message.
“That statement was a textbook example of DARVO (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim & Offender),” one parent posted on social media.
A post in the Facebook group Parker County Watchdog noted that Smith’s statement encouraged Azle ISD students and staff to “See Something, Say Something.”
“That’s exactly what happened” in this case, the post added.
According to the lawsuit, other Azle coaches reported Font Santiago’s inappropriate behavior with female students to the athletic director, but she “swept it under the rug” and failed to report the allegations to her superiors or outside authorities.
All teachers, coaches, and administrators are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse—which includes encouraging a child to engage in sexual conduct.
A new state law that took effect on September 1, 2025, shortened the required reporting time from 48 to 24 hours after learning of abuse allegations. Failure to report is a crime.
An investigator working with the victim’s family is seeking more information about Font Santiago’s conduct and any concerns raised. Morrison Investigations is asking anyone with firsthand knowledge—former students, teachers, coaches, or staff—to contact the company at 817-902-4550.
Over the past few years, a growing number of Texas school employees have been accused of sex crimes involving students and other children, and thousands have been reported to the Texas Education Agency for sexual misconduct.
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