Humble ISD officials are pushing back against several claims for relief included in former Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen’s latest appeal of her termination, including a request for two years of back pay and a request to be reinstated to her position.

The details

In a Jan. 6 filing, legal representatives for the district rejected several claims for relief included in Fagen’s appeal to Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath. Among the rejected claims include requests that Morath:
  • Reverse the board’s decision to terminate Fagen’s contract
  • Reinstate Fagen to her former position with full salary and benefits, plus backpay
  • Entitle Fagen to two years of full salary and benefits as stipulated by her contract
In the district’s response, legal representatives for HISD requested Morath deny Fagen's claims for relief, arguing her termination was “not arbitrary, capricious or unlawful" and was "supported by substantial evidence.”

How we got here

Trustees initially voted to propose the termination of Fagen’s contract in July. Fagen appealed the board’s decision to the TEA, which resulted in a three-day hearing spanning more than 30 hours over Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 6.


In a Nov. 25 report detailing the findings of the hearing, independent hearing examiner Karen Egbuna sided with the district and recommended that trustees terminate Fagen’s contract. Trustees voted to officially terminate Fagen’s contract at their Nov. 26 meeting.

In late December, Fagen appealed the board’s decision directly to Morath, who is expected to issue a ruling by the end of January.

What’s next

TEA Media Relations Specialist Melissa Holmes said Fagen’s appeal to the commissioner will entail a review of the evidence presented at the initial hearing, as well as any procedural issues that may have occurred.


While the commissioner’s decision is expected to be released by the end of January, the district has already moved forward with the appointment of Roger Brown to serve as the next superintendent.

If Fagen wins her appeal, she could have the opportunity to return to her post in the district, depending on the commissioner’s recommendation.