Ariel Worthy/Houston Public Media
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has determined that Fort Bend ISD did not violate state law with its voting incentives during the Voter Approval Tax Rate Election in 2023, although some people involved with the district at the time could potentially face bribery investigations.
The ballot measure asked residents to approve a tax rate increase that would be used for teacher and staff raises as well as armed security required by an unfunded state mandate. The tax rate increase passed overwhelmingly, with 57% of the vote share.
During election season, the school district’s administration said it would provide breakfast to schools with a voter turnout of more than 90% and allow staff members to wear jeans to work if they cast their ballots. Former school administrators also created a form to distribute to students, promising them a “special prize” if they returned the form with an “I Voted” sticker from their parents.
The administration came under criticism, and State Sen. Paul Bettencourt called for the Texas Attorney General’s Office to investigate.
The TEA received a complaint in February that the Houston-area district had “violated state laws prohibiting electioneering, unlawful political advertising and bribery,” according to a Fort Bend ISD news release.
According to the news release, the agency ultimately cleared the school district of the allegations as trustees had told former Superintendent Christie Whitbeck to stop the district’s voting incentives program. The TEA also found that the district encouraged voting in general, rather than taking a stance in favor of or against the tax rate increase.
“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,” Fort Bend ISD board president Kristen Tassin said in a news release. “We are glad we can put this issue behind the district and focus our attention on the many positive changes being implemented by (new Superintendent Marc) Smith and his team.”
However, Fort Bend ISD revealed that the TEA shared information with local authorities about possible acts of bribery related to the voting incentives.
“The agency additionally advised that it has provided information regarding potential individual actions of bribery to local authorities who may conduct further investigation,” the school district said.
The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office said Friday it is not investigating any district employees related to the tax-rate election.
The TEA also opened an investigation into Fort Bend ISD last year over allegations that board trustees violated the Texas Open Meetings Act while negotiating Whitbeck’s early retirement. That investigation is ongoing.