A Texas Education Agency investigation found Fort Bend ISD officials didn’t violate state law within the agency’s jurisdiction during the November 2023 election season, according to a Dec. 20 news release from the district.

What happened

In June, FBISD officials announced the state agency launched an investigation into the district in response to a complaint filed last February, which alleged FBISD participated in electioneering, prohibited political advertising and bribery by incentivizing students and staff to vote in the 2023 voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE.

The details

According to the release, FBISD administration attempted to offer various incentives to staff and students who voted during the 2023 election, including:
  • Offering staff members the opportunity to wear jeans and get a free breakfast from the district on campuses where voter turnout exceeded 90%
  • Giving students a form to bring to their parents, which promised a “special prize” to students who returned the form with an “I Voted” sticker on it
According to the report, TEA officials determined the incentives didn’t violate state law because:
  • The incentives weren’t monetary in nature
  • The incentives were stopped at the request of trustees before incentives were awarded
  • The district’s communication encouraged voting broadly, not support or opposition to the VATRE
However, the agency “provided information regarding potential individual actions of bribery to the local authorities who may investigate further at their discretion,” according to the TEA report. The report did not state what these other potential bribery actions could be.


Quote of note

“We are glad to see the TEA concluded that our trustees satisfied their obligation to oversee district operations by insisting our former superintendent halt the voting incentives,” FBISD board President Kristin Tassin said in the release. “We are glad we can put this issue behind the district and focus our attention on the many positive changes being implemented by [Superintendent Marc Smith] and his team.”

Looking ahead

Although this TEA investigation concluded, the TEA is still investigating a complaint from former trustee Kristen Davison Malone, which alleged some trustees violated the Texas Open Meetings Act during the dismissal of former Superintendent Christie Whitbeck in December 2023.


Additionally, Whitbeck filed a lawsuit Dec. 3 against the district and three trustees, alleging defamation and breach of contract. The lawsuit claims the district, former board President Judy Dae and current trustees David Hamilton and Sonya Jones made public comments that violated Whitbeck's Voluntary Retirement Agreement and damaged her professional reputation.

In a statement issued Dec. 5, FBISD officials said the district’s legal counsel are “reviewing the allegations and are expected to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit and order Dr. Whitbeck to reimburse the district for the cost of defending the lawsuit.”