FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – During her last board meeting as the Fort Bend Independent School District Superintendent, Christie WhiteBeck answered some questions regarding her sudden retirement.
“The facts are, my contract was renewed until December of 2026, and a 2% raise was given to me in July,” Whitbeck said. “I’ve not violated a district policy. I have not violated any kind of directive from the board. I was not on any kind of growth plan or any kind of plan for improvement. And I had received no memos, nothing of that nature. I still to this day have not met with my board of trustees to fully understand exactly why all this is happening.”
Whitbeck said she was blindsided when she had a meeting with the board president who reportedly gave her an ultimatum -- opt for a voluntary retirement agreement or be terminated.
“Why I would have had the board president meet with me and tell me that she said you can opt for a voluntary retirement agreement or we’re going to pursue termination. And I’m like, ‘Well, termination for what?’ And there really is no cause for termination.” Whitbeck explained.
She continued by saying there was a piece in her contract that shows the superintendent position is at-will and the board can end the contract if there’s a rapport issue but does not define what type of rapport.
Whitbeck served the district for two years and received a contract extension and raise this past July. However, she reportedly offered teachers an opportunity to wear jeans in October if they voted in the November elections.
Whitbeck admitted to KPRC 2 investigates, “We had some jeans incentives.”
Any incentive being offered in exchange for a vote is a violation of law, according to state officials.
“A school district can’t offer a jeans day for employees to vote, everybody knows this,” said State Senator Paul Bettencourt, who also serves on the Senate Committee on Education.
Last week, when questioned about Whitbeck’s retirement by Investigate reporter Mario Diaz, Fort Bend ISD trustee Sonya Jones said Whitebeck has crossed “many boundaries” and said if the public knew what the board talked about behind closed doors, Whitbeck would never be able to work in education again.
Whitbeck denies any wrongdoing.
“I have never done anything illegal, immoral or improper, not since ever, and certainly not up until today. I’ve not violated a district policy,” Whitbeck said.
In the midst of all of this, Whitbeck received a payout of over $490,000 from the board for retiring.
We have since reached out to the board to discuss the issue, but as of Tuesday, Dec. 12, no one has agreed to speak with us.