Fort Bend ISD (December 20, 2024) – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has concluded its investigation of a complaint alleging the former administration's plan to provide voting incentives to staff and students violated state law, finding no violation of any law within its jurisdiction occurred.

On February 20, 2024, the TEA received a complaint alleging the district violated state laws prohibiting electioneering, unlawful political advertising, and bribery in connection with the district's Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) held on November 7, 2023. The district's former administration created a voter incentive plan to encourage voter turnout for the VATRE election. The plan offered staff members the opportunity to wear jeans and promised a breakfast provided by the Child Nutrition Department for schools whose voter turnout exceeded 90%. The former administration also circulated an incentive form to campuses titled “I voted”, which was to be sent home with students to give to their parents. The form promised a “special prize” to students who returned the form and provided a place for parents to affix an “I Voted” sticker received while voting.

In its report, the TEA concluded that the former administration's plan to provide voting incentives to staff and students did not violate state law because the administration halted its plan after trustees insisted that former Superintendent Dr. Christie Whitbeck stop it. The agency additionally concluded the district's communications encouraged voting broadly and did not include support or opposition for the tax rate.

The agency additionally advised that it has provided information regarding potential individual actions of bribery to local authorities who may conduct further investigation.

“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,” says Fort Bend ISD board president Kristen Tassin. “We are glad we can put this issue behind the district and focus our attention on the many positive changes being implemented by Dr. Smith and his team.”