During the board working session Dec. 4, Fort Bend ISD trustees voted to approve Superintendent Christie Whitbeck retiring from her position.
The board also voted to name Deputy Superintendent Beth Martinez as interim superintendent of schools.
Whitbeck will assume the role of superintendent emeritus until the end of the 2023-24 academic year ending in May.
Original story posted 6:01 p.m. Dec. 4
With two years remaining on her contract, Christie Whitbeck, superintendent of Fort Bend Independent School District, announced her intention to retire in a statement made Dec. 1.
Fort Bend ISD trustees will consider approving Whitbeck’s request during their working session Dec. 4, and will consider candidates for acting superintendent by Dec. 11 at the regular board meeting, according to the district officials.
If the board approves, Whitbeck will vacate her position as superintendent effective Dec. 12. She would then assume the role of superintendent emeritus until the end of the spring 2023-24 academic year, Whitbeck said.
The background
Whitbeck has been the superintendent of FBISD since October 2021. Prior to this appointment, she served as superintendent in Bryan ISD and deputy superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, according to the district website.
Her experience includes serving as an elementary, middle school and high school principal, opening new campuses as principal at all three levels. She also served as assistant superintendent, assistant principal, language arts specialist and classroom teacher.
In her own words
“I know my retirement may be unexpected to many, as this announcement comes with a very heavy heart. I am proud of the unprecedented number of accomplishments we have achieved in Fort Bend ISD during my 2 ½ year tenure as superintendent. The most recent monumental achievements include eliminating the $47 million budget deficit, as well as passing the May 2023 bond election and the November 2023 [voter-approval tax rate election],” Whitbeck said.
“With this help of many talented staff members, I feel I am leaving FBISD better than I found it, and that makes me very proud,” she said.
