Smith succeeds former Superintendent Christie Whitbeck, who was ousted by the board in a Dec. 4 board meeting. Whitbeck said she was asked by an unnamed board member to retire, leaving her "blindsided" by the decision.
Smith’s contract was posted to the district website on Jan. 9 following the board’s contract approval, and it was also sent via email to Community Impact by Sherry Williams, director of strategic communications.
By the numbers
A comparison between Smith and Whitbeck’s contracts shows Smith’s annual salary is 8.75% higher than his predecessor, according to the contracts.
- Smith’s salary: $410,000
- Whitbeck’s original salary beginning Oct. 6, 2021: $370,000
- Whitbeck’s salary following her review and raise in July: $377,000
Comparatively, the median salary for districts with enrollments of 50,000 is $349,600, according to the Texas Association of School Boards.
Zooming in
Further details of Smith’s contract are as follows:
- Retention supplement: The district will contribute $50,000 per year for the next five years beginning July 1 in supplemental retirement plans payable on June 30 of each year for Smith as long as he is still employed as superintendent.
- Supplemental retirement plan: Beginning with the first payroll period after Jan. 22 and for each subsequent year during the term of the contract, FBISD will add $1,250 to Smith’s salary per pay period.
- Annual evaluation: Smith will undergo an annual evaluation and assessment of his performance, and the board will meet at least once a year to discuss his performance in an annual summative evaluation in October.
- Retention supplement: Not included
- Supplemental retirement plan: The board paid Whitbeck an additional $1,041 per pay period beginning Oct. 6, 2021, during her contract term.
- Annual evaluation: Whitbeck’s contract stipulated she undergo an annual evaluation and assessment of her performance in an annual summative evaluation in October.
When the board accepted Whitbeck’s retirement Dec. 4, they approved a $491,000 severance package, as previously reported.
Whitbeck was reviewed and given a roughly $7,000 annual raise in July when the board extended her contract.
What else?
The contract also states, in the event that Smith were to be terminated prior to his contract term expiring, the board can dismiss him with a majority vote.
In such event, the board shall pay to the superintendent as severance all accrued pay and benefits due to Smith as of the date of termination and a payment equal to one year of salary, and benefits within 30 days of the date of termination minus deductions, including withholding, required by law, according to the contract.
