Fort Bend ISD trustees OK superintendent's request to retire

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The Fort Bend Independent School District entered head-hunting mode on Monday night when its board of trustees approved Superintendent Christie Whitbeck's request to retire, effective on June 30, 2024.

However, Whitbeck's final day as the sitting superintendent is on Dec. 11, after which she will remain an employee of FBISD as superintendent emeritus to assist with the leadership transition.

With two years remaining on her contract, Whitbeck announced her intention to retire on Dec. 1.

According to district officials, Fort Bend ISD trustees considered approving Whitbeck's request during their working session Monday.

Additionally, the board gave the OK to appoint Deputy Superintendent Beth Martinez as acting superintendent.

"I am very proud of the work we have accomplished over the past few years," Whitbeck said in a statement Monday night. "I am most proud of working to help our district develop more of a culture of kindness and caring. The progress we have made is very evident as I visit campuses. We have worked diligently to reduce the budget, pass a major bond, pass a VATRE allowing much needed raises for teachers and staff and the ability to add security guards to our elementary schools. My favorite part of being Superintendent was visiting the campuses and seeing students learning and in their extracurricular activities. I was always their number one cheerleader. This helped me keep the 'main thing the main thing' and my heart focused on what mattered most - our students. A highlight for me was also shaking the hands of 6,300 very excited graduates as they crossed the stage each year."

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The background

Whitbeck has been the superintendent of FBISD since October 2021. Prior to this appointment, she served as superintendent in Bryan ISD and deputy superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, according to the district website.

Her experience includes serving as an elementary, middle school and high school principal, opening new campuses as principal at all three levels. She also served as assistant superintendent, assistant principal, language arts specialist and classroom teacher.

"I know my retirement may be unexpected to many, as this announcement comes with a very heavy heart. I am proud of the unprecedented number of accomplishments we have achieved in Fort Bend ISD during my 2 year tenure as superintendent. The most recent monumental achievements include eliminating the $47 million budget deficit, as well as passing the May 2023 bond election and the November 2023 voter-approval tax rate election," Whitbeck said.

"With this help of many talented staff members, I feel I am leaving FBISD better than I found it, and that makes me very proud," she said.

Community Impact Newspaper contributed to this report.