Ariel Worthy/Houston Public Media
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has determined that Fort Bend ISD did not violate state law regarding voting incentives in the 2023 voter-approved tax rate election, but some officials associated with the district at the time are facing a bribery investigation. There is a possibility of receiving.
The ballot measure asked residents to approve pay raises for teachers and staff and a tax increase to pay for armed security required by the state’s unfunded mandate. The tax increase proposal was passed overwhelmingly with 57% of the votes cast.
During the election period, school district officials announced that they would provide breakfast to schools with over 90% voter turnout and allow teachers and staff to wear jeans to work if they wanted to vote. Former school administrators also created forms to hand out to students, promising “special prizes” if parents returned the forms with a “I Voted” sticker.
The administration has come under fire, with state Sen. Paul Bettencourt called The Texas Attorney General’s Office will investigate.
According to a Fort Bend ISD news release, the TEA received a complaint in February alleging that the Houston district was “violating state laws prohibiting campaign activities, illegal political advertising, and bribery.”
The agency ultimately cleared the district after trustees directed former Superintendent Christy Whitbeck to end the district’s voting incentive program, according to a news release. The TEA also found that school districts generally encouraged voting rather than taking positions for or against tax increases.
“We are pleased that the TEA has concluded that the board fulfilled its obligation to oversee district operations by insisting that the former superintendent end voting incentives,” Fort Bend ISD Board President Kristen Tassin said in a news release. I think so.” “I’m happy to put this issue behind the district and focus on the many positive changes that (new superintendent Mark) Smith and his team are implementing.”
However, Fort Bend ISD revealed that TEA was sharing information with local officials about possible bribery related to voting incentives.
“The agency further advised that it provided information regarding the individual’s potential bribery activity to local authorities, which may conduct further investigation,” the school district said.
The Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that it is not investigating county employees related to the tax rate election.
TEA also began an investigation into Fort Bend ISD last year. suspicion The board’s members violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when negotiating Whitbeck’s early retirement. That investigation is ongoing.
