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Registration for Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference open - Page 2

281.690.4200 WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 20, 2023

Clements HS principal arrested for solicitation of prostitution By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Clements High School Principal Brian Shillingburg was arrested December 11 by the Fort Bend County Sheriff ’s Office and charged with solicitation of prostitution/other payor, one of 16 people arrested in a sting operation, according to the sheriff ’s office. Shillingburg remains free on a $5,000 bond. His arraignment has been set for January 24 at 1 p.m. in the 458th District Court, according to the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office.

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Fort Bend ISD names Marc Smith as new superintendent By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

In a specially called meeting Friday morning, the Fort Bend ISD board unanimously approved Marc Smith, currently the superintendent of Duncanville ISD in the Dallas area, as its new superintendent, replacing Christie Whitbeck, who departed December 11 following a contentious week among the board. According to the district’s announcement on its website, Texas state law requires school districts to implement a 21-day waiting period before an official

contract is offered. Smith is scheduled to sign his contract on January 8. And even though Smith, who formerly served Fort Bend ISD as executive principal and assistant superintendent from 20072012, drew unanimous praise from all board members, the tensions that have come into the open in the wake of Whitbeck’s sudden departure after just over two years were still on full display. Position 6 member Kristen Davis Malone, Whitbeck’s most vocal defender on the board, said she was shut out of the process of Smith’s selection as lone finalist for the district’s top administrator.

Marc Smith, currently superintendent of Duncanville ISD, was named Friday as the new superintendent of Fort Bend ISD. Courtesy Fort Bend ISD

Even so, Malone said that although she only learned that Smith was the lone finalist and was able to interview him during a

more than hour-long closed earned his bachelor’s degree session during Friday’s in Human Performance meeting, she was very im- from Texas Southern Unipressed with his credentials versity. He also completed and his answers to her ques- the Urban Superintendent tions, and that she would Academy at Harvard Unifully support him. versity, according to the Smith became super- profile. “I want to say thank you intendent at Duncanville ISD in April 2016, accord- so much for putting your ing to his profile on that confidence, faith, and trust district’s website. Before in me,” Smith told the board that, he served as super- in brief comments after intendent of Marshall ISD the unanimous vote. “Fort from 2012-2016. According Bend ISD has played such to his profile, he earned a a fundamental role in my doctorate degree in Admin- development as a leader istration and Supervision and my journey as a sufrom the University of perintendent in a couple of Houston and a master’s de- other districts now.” gree in Administration and Supervision from Prairie View A&M University. He SEE SUPERINTENDENT PAGE 2

TSTC students meet industry reps in employment event Staff Reports

Clements High School Principal Brian Shillingburg, 43, has been arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office and charged with solicitation of prostitution. Courtesy Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office

“We are committed to ensuring there is no disruption to instruction and a smooth administrative transition,” Fort Bend ISD said in a written statement. Clements High School, one of the largest in the district, serves the First Colony and Telfair areas of Sugar Land. According to Shillingburg’s profile page of the Clements High School website, he has worked in public education for more than two decades. He received a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Mary Harin Baylor, and went on to teach in kindergarten and fourth grades and as an elementary instructional coach, according to the profile. In 2012, he received an M.E. degree in administration from Sam Houston State University. He served in Spring Branch ISD as an assistant principal at Landrum Middle School for four years, then as principal at James Bowie Middle School for six years. He was named principal at Clements in July 2022. According to the Sheriff ’s Office, investigators with the Fort Bend County Sheriff ’s Office, along with other officers in the regional Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance, conducted a “proactive undercover buyer operation” on December 11 and 12. “The goal of the operation was to identify and arrest sex buyers in order to reduce the demand for

SEE ARRESTED PAGE 2

Electrical Power and Control students at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus met with representatives from Titan Quality Power Services during a recent employer spotlight event. Courtesy Texas State Technical College

Representatives from La Porte-based Titan Quality Power Services visited with some Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students during an employer spotlight at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus in Rosenberg on December 6. The students are nearing their final semester of the program, according to a TSTC news release. The representatives highlighted the benefits of working at their company, covering topics such as pay, schedules, day-to-day activities, and workload. The students asked questions throughout the presentation and talked with the representatives one-on-one afterward. The representatives also toured the classrooms and saw the equipment available to students in the Electrical Power and Controls program. Peter Tucker, a technician for Titan Quality Power Services, said the company is one of the best places he has ever worked. “We are relatively small,” Tucker said in the release. “We are a tight-knit group,

and we have a great culture here.” Tom DeMarco, the South Texas regional branch manager at Titan Quality Power Services, said one of the biggest focuses of the company is quality. Employees’ main job at the company is to put together pieces of transformers, wire everything up, and test to make sure everything is working properly. “We are concerned about quality,” he said. “We aren’t trying to do a sloppy job. We want to give our customers the best.” Connecting that drive for quality to the students, DeMarco said TSTC was where he had done a lot of hiring in the past and TSTC graduates are some of the best-educated and most qualified to enter the workforce. “I can’t imagine any of you struggling to find jobs when you graduate from here,” DeMarco told the students. “We, for one, are really looking for people. We can’t hire fast enough.” TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Controls at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, North Texas and Waco campuses.

Sugar Land council approves development agreement in Thompsons area Staff Reports Representatives from La Porte-based Titan Quality Power Services visited with some Texas State Technical College Electrical Power and Controls students during an employer spotlight at TSTC’s Fort Bend County campus in Rosenberg on December 6. The students are nearing their final semester of the program, according to a TSTC news release. The representatives highlighted the benefits of working at their company, covering topics such as pay, schedules, day-to-day activities, and workload. The students asked questions throughout the presentation and talked

with the representatives one-on-one afterward. The representatives also toured the classrooms and saw the equipment available to students in the Electrical Power and Controls program. Peter Tucker, a technician for Titan Quality Power Services, said the company is one of the best places he has ever worked. “We are relatively small,” Tucker said in the release. “We are a tight-knit group, and we have a great culture here.” Tom DeMarco, the South Texas regional branch manager at Titan Quality Power Services, said one of the biggest focuses of the company is quality. Employees’ main job at the company is to put

together pieces of transformers, wire everything up, and test to make sure everything is working properly. “We are concerned about quality,” he said. “We aren’t trying to do a sloppy job. We want to give our customers the best.” Connecting that drive for quality to the students, DeMarco said TSTC was where he had done a lot of hiring in the past and TSTC graduates are some of the best-educated and most qualified to enter the workforce. “I can’t imagine any of you struggling to find jobs when you graduate from here,” DeMarco told the students. “We, for one, are really looking for people. We can’t hire fast enough.”

Sugar Land City Council recently approved a development agreement with Pulte Homes of Texas, LP, for a proposed development in the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Photo by Ken Fountain

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical Power and Con-

trols at its Abilene, Fort Bend County, North Texas and Waco campuses.

THE STAR

PAGE 2 • Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Registration for Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference open Staff Reports People who attend February’s 39th annual Fort Bend Regional Vegetable Conference in February will learn about a spectrum of topics from bees and honey and mushroom gardening to climate/drought and irrigation. Other agenda topics include marketing produce, pesticide laws and regulations, backyard gardening and alternative techniques and integrated pest management. The conference is a celebration of vegetable production along the upper Gulf Coast region. The counties of Waller, Wharton, Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Colorado and Austin join with Fort Bend to offer this event to teach sustainable practices to help producers maximize efficiencies and profitability. Five continuing education credits are offered for Texas Department of Agriculture

ARRESTED FROM PAGE 1

victimized sex workers,” the office said in a press release. “The operation was conducted at a predetermined location in Missouri City, Fort Bend County, Texas, where members of the Task Force posed as prostitutes and posted advertisements on websites known for prostitution. When potential ‘Johns’ solicited sex acts for money, the suspects were apprehended at the meeting location.”

Pesticide Applicator license holders. The eight-hour program will be offered by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Buildings C & D at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 Texas 36 in Rosenberg on Thursday, February 8. Early registration is open now and continues through January 6. The cost is $30, with an additional $10 more for late registration which closes at noon on February 6. Fees also apply when paying by credit card. Register at https:// 39thAnnualVegConf.eventbrite.com A BBQ lunch is included. Registration at

According to media reports, the location was a motel located in Missouri CIty that was known for prostitution activity. Other than Shillingburg, the suspects arrested were Jameel Aburamadan, 20; Devin Roy, 38; Lance Parnell, 54; Matthew Wray, 33; Donovan Bankett, 29; Troy Flanagan, 35; Shahzaib Ali, 25; Alexis GarciaAlmaraz, 27; Samuel Omolade, 31; Omer Karar, 33; Edward Pickett, 50; Parker Moss, 27; Errol Lindo, 60; and Steven

the door will be limited. On the day of the event, checkin will be held from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. with the conference beginning at 8:15 a.m. In addition to registering online, people also may register in person or by mail. Register in person at Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionFort Bend County, 1402 Band Road, Rosenberg, Texas 77471. Checks and registrations also may be mailed by February 6 to that address to the attention of Lorraine Niemeyer. For more information, visit https://39thAnnualVegConf. eventbrite.com and for general questions, contact Niemeyer at 281-633-7033.

Haley, 30. Additionally, Prince Williams, 31, was arrested for promotion of prostitution. The suspects were booked into the Fort Bend County Detention Center. “These illicit actions not only undermine the safety and well-being of our residents, but also contribute to a range of social issues,” Sheriff Eric Fagan said in the release. “We are committed to enforcing the law vigorously to ensure a secure environment for everyone in our community.”

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SUPERINTENDENT FROM PAGE 1

“I am excited at the opportunity to come back and serve this community, serve the board, serve the staff. I’m excited to be able to partner with the teachers. Fort Bend is known for having outstanding teachers, and I’m looking forward to meeting them,” he said. “I’m looking forward to coming back home, and I know I’m in the right place,” he said. After Position 7 member and board secretary David Hamilton moved to approve Smith’s appointment, seconded by Position 1 member Angie Hanan, all of the members spoke glowingly of his three decades of service in education and the qualities of leadership that he would bring to the role. Most also said he was the best candidate to move the district forward. When it was Malone’s turn to speak, she began by asking her fellow board members what the actual selection process for a lone candidate was. She received no answer from any of her colleagues, and said she had played no part in the process, only learning of the selection in a meeting notice on Tuesday. Board president Judy Dae said that Malone had had the opportunity to participate in the process, which happened in closed executive sessions, but chose not to. Malone countered that she has attended every executive session but one in the weeks since the announcement of Whitbeck’s sudden departure, which was framed as a voluntary retirement. However, during the December 8 meeting in which a board majority voted to accept that retirement, Malone said that it was the result of “per-

Fort Bend ISD board president Judy Dae and secretary David Hamilton give reporters brief remarks following Friday’s meeting.

Dr. Marc Smith, center, listens as members of the Fort Bend ISD board extol his qualiﬁcations after naming him the new superintendent. Photos by Ken Fountain

sonality conflicts” between Whitbeck, Hamilton, and “perhaps one other” whom she didn’t name, and that Dae had presented Whitbeck with an ultimatum of either retiring voluntarily or being terminated by the board, shortly after the successful voter-approved tax rate election in November. That led to a week of contentious statements, in media reports and social media, from many of the board members. Dae has denied that personality conflicts were the reason for Whitbeck’s departure or that she gave her an ultimatum to leave. Malone said the chose not to participate in the second

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executive session at Monday’s meeting, before the board had its planned celebratory send-off for Whitbeck because the first one at the start of the meeting had been so contentious between her and the other members. She said she chose not to participate in what she called “a hostile environment.” After Friday’s meeting, Malone told reporters that the first she knew that a lone finalist had been selected was in a meeting notice she received Tuesday. Dae and the other board members declined to speak further on the matter to reporters. Smith likewise was not available for comment.

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Worship Directory FORT BEND COUNTY

METHODIST CHURCH

EPISCOPAL

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602

A United Methodist Community 3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 Rev. Dr. Daniel Irving, Senior Pastor Sunday Schedule 9:30 am Blended Worship 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages 11:00 am Traditional & Contemporary Worship www.christchurchsl.org

605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 SUNDAY: 10:30 am Worship Holy Eucharist www.allsaints-stafford.org

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH • 281-240-3195 502 Eldridge Rd. -Sugar Land, TX 77478 Reverend Dr. Fred Seay, Pastor Sunday Worship In Person 11:00 am / Nursery Available Worship Online on YouTube www.fpcsl.org

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CHURCH OF CHRIST

STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507 402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477 Stephen Higley, Preacher Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Wednesday 7:00 pm www.staffordcoc.com Scripture of the week

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THE STAR

See us online www.FortBendStar.com

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 • PAGE 3

The Reid Feed: Vote Austin High School’s Bulldog Band as fan favorite in Metallica competition JANET SUE

RYAN LEE

Art and Culture Columnists

By Ryan Lee Reid and Janet Sue Reid As parents with children in Fort Bend ISD, when a local high school makes the news, we usually read about Clements High School. There are 13 high schools in FBISD, and let’s be frank, Clements gets a disproportionate number of headlines. It wasn’t until last year when our son’s beloved second-grade teacher, Marianne Hall, drew our attention to something special happening right in our Sugar Land backyard. Marianne shared her passion and love for the close knit community, the unique programs, and talented teachers as PTO president of Stephen F. Austin High School. Our interest was further piqued when we heard that the Austin High School Bulldog Band with the Angels Dance Team and Color Guard were top five finalists in Metallica’s first battle of the (marching) bands, For Whom The Band Tolls! This is no small feat. More

than 450 colleges and high schools in five categories entered. Even though other area high schools entered, the Bulldog Band was the only one selected by an expert panel of judges as finalists to proceed to the next round of competition. Austin High School’s Bulldog Band is competing to win $15,000 and some serious flex. The final round of judging is done by Metallica themselves for the top prize. There is also a Fan Favorite winner. Of the 15 high school bands across the 3 high school categories based on size, the high school band which receives the most votes from the public will win $10,000. We wanted to peak behind the curtain to learn more about what catapulted the Austin High School’s Bulldog Band to the top. We immediately went online to watch their submission, “BALLERina: Pointe of Rebellion”. We were immediately mesmerized by both the audio and visual juxtaposition that unfolded. As music from the romantic ballet “Giselle” plays, a classical ballerina twirls and steps into a music box. Moments later, the music changes to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” as the ballerina emerges from the music box, thus setting the stage for her metamorphosis into BALLERina. The dancer transforms from a stereotypical balle-

rina into a modern, edgier, and darker BALLERina who has experienced things that open her mind and elevate her art. Keep in mind, this is not a scene from “Drumline”, “Save the Last Dance”, or “Black Swan”. This is our local high school’s band, dance team, and color guard performing an avante garde interpretation of a heavymetal song. We were taken aback by the sophistication and elegance of technique, creativity, and melding of music genres by students so young. Together, they captured the feeling of innocence lost that ultimately unfolds into an empowering coming of age story as the BALLerina becomes a strong independent woman … all on a football field. The choreography, musicality, and artistry of these 165 students was hypnotizing. Adrian Caswell is Austin High School’s Director of Bands. He is no stranger to state and national competitions. The Bulldogs are one of the top marching bands in the state of Texas, and therefore one of the top in the nation. However, instead of strictly competing in the traditional UIL and Bands of America marching band competitions, Caswell encourages his students to appreciate music across different genres and time periods. Metallica is an iconic heavy metal band that has

influenced multiple generations, recently back in the cultural zeitgeist with their song “Master of Puppets”, featured in the Netflix hit “Stranger Things”. “Probably 25 percent of the students were fans, 50 percent had heard their music before, and 25 percent had not heard their music before. However, all of them knew who Metallica was,” says Caswell. Caswell may also be a little bit psychic. Prior to Metallica announcing this competition, the Bulldog’s had incidentally already chosen a selection from the competition song list without knowing. “It was the metallic uniforms and angels dance team that gave birth to the mash-up idea for a ballerina who becomes punk,” he says. The choice of “Enter Sandman” was kismet. The more we talk to Caswell, the more we understand Marianne’s words about the Austin High School community. Even the video was a group effort. Unlike other bands competing who had professional videographers and other special effects, Austin High School’s video submission took about 17 different cameras and GoPros from the school’s parents and students strategically placed around the arena during one of their final half-time performances of the season. When asked what the Bulldog Band

would use the prize money for if they won, Caswell said it would go toward muchneeded band equipment. Caswell’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the impact a teacher can have on the course of a student’s life, and rightly so. When asked what song best captures the spirit of the Bulldog Band, he names “Remember Me” from the movie “Coco”. All of us can remember that one special teacher or professor who guided us and brought out our best. Caswell lights up when talking about the influence his middle school band director, high school director, college professors, and drum core colleagues had on the trajectory of his life. Caswell hopes that the Bulldog Band’s first foray into a pop competition will expose the students to a different audience instead of the usual band and football community they’re accustomed to. As a band leader Caswell is incredibly mindful of his role as not only an educator but as someone who wants to bring out the best in every student. His teaching style is rooted in inspiration and his teachings include principles from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey. “It’s important to make decisions that are best for the kids and not yourself,” explains Caswell. “The end of the year is the best. You see kids cry-

ing because they’re so happy they accomplished something that initially seemed so difficult for them to do.” Clearly his message resonates with his students as he can captivate and motivate more than 120 students in every band rehearsal. As parents in a modern world plagued by a deficit of attention, we can tell you this is a rarity and probably the reason why the Bulldogs are considered one of the best high school marching bands in the country. We hope you’ll play your part in the band by casting your vote by midnight on Dec 31, 2023 for Fort Bend’s very own Austin High School Bulldog Band, Angels Dance Team, and Color Guard. Text #HSAUSTIN to (833) 609-0330 to vote Austin High School as Fan Favorite. To watch Austin High School’s performance, go to: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IVugwOBpQ04. To learn more about Austin High School Bulldog Band and Angels Dance Team, go to: sfaband.org. Ryan Lee Reid, “The Piano Cowboy”, and Janet Sue Reid, “The Culinary Cowgirl”, are artists and creators. They transform space and time to move and heal people through art. They live in Sugar Land with their children. Find their full bios and contact them through ReidFeed.com.

Austin High School Bulldog Band, Angels Dance Team and Color Guard perform “BALLERina: Pointe of Rebellion:. Director of Bands Adrian Caswell is pictured with Janet Sue Reid and Ryan Lee Reid. Austin High School Bulldog Band and Daniel Anderson. Image by Janet Sue Reid.

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THE STAR

PAGE 4 • Wednesday, December 20, 2023

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EDITORIAL A banner year, poles apart keeping it. But several states are thinking about changing their state flags, and I can’t blame them. So many look like a lot of the others – blue with the state seal in the middle containing a sailor, blacksmith or even a beehive.

LYNN ASHBY Columnist

By Lynn Ashby ASHBY2@COMCAST.NET

HE FRONT PORCH – Time to change my flags. I put up my Marine Corps flag for the Corps’ birthday, November 10, taking down my orange-and-white Longhorn flag (which has been at half-staff some football seasons). My Lone Star Flag goes up on Texas Independence Day (March 2) and I leave it up until after San Jacinto Day (April 21). The Stars and Stripes fly the rest of the time. My Stars and Bars flag (the Confederate battle flag) is no longer politically correct. At least I know what our state flag looks like and we plan on

Let’s take a walk down flag alley so we can feel superior. Michigan has a blue flag with its seal in the center, as do 22 of the 50 state flags. Its flag sports two deer or elk or some horned animals standing on their back legs. Idaho has only one deer, along with a miner and a woman in a white nightgown. Louisiana, the Pelican State, has a new pelican, larger than the old pelican. Wisconsin’s flag includes a sailor and an anchor. Shouldn’t it feature a cheesehead and a Green Bay Packer? Mississippi has had a lot of trouble because its banner included the Stars and Bars. After much turmoil, the new flag features a magnolia. The Hawaiian flag has a British Union Jack for some reason. Illinois, Maine, Michigan and Minnesota are considering changing their flags’ designs, and that may seem

easy enough until you try it. Like Utah. For years, some Utahans had talked about changing their flag from the usual: blue with the state seal, sporting flowers and a beehive. The state’s founding Mormons lived on sego lilies when food was scarce. The beehive symbolized their communal spirit. (The state’s nickname is the Beehive State.) They finally settled this year on a replacement which retained the beehive. But opponents collected signatures to place the issue on the ballot. That effort failed, but they plan to try again. Other states need to follow the Mormons’ lead. Take Virginia. Its flag sports the state seal showing a half-dressed woman, making it the only state flag depicting a form of nudity. She holds a spear and is standing on a dead body. And it has the motto Sic semper tyrannis, which is Latin for “Thus always to tyrants.” John Wilkes Booth shouted “Sic semper tyrannis” after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln. Later Booth was shot to death in Virginia, so I see the connection. Nebraska is another. When the Nebraska

flag, the usual state seal on blue, flew upside-down outside the State Capitol a few year ago, nobody noticed for days. A Minnesota state commission, wondering if there was any thought to changing to a new state flag, asked for suggestions. It received 2,100 ideas. California’s flag shows a grizzly bear with the words, in big letters, California Republic. It stems from the Bear Flag Revolt, a silly fracas in 1846 when some Americans tried to break away from Mexico. The revolt lasted one month. An interesting side note: The flag was designed by William Todd, a nephew of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of Abraham Lincoln. Maybe Todd was getting ahead of Virginia. North Carolina’s flag looks sort of like the Texas flag except it has the red on top of the white with a big NC in the blue and some writing. This brings us to the Lone Star Flag, and changing it is hard to imagine, because we like our flag and others seem to like it, too. In 2001 the North American Vexillological Association (vexillologists study and collect flags) conducted a

survey to determine which state, territory or Canadian province had the best flag. The winner: New Mexico. Its flag is really quite pretty. In second place: Texas! Yes, 29,000 voters said our own Lone Star Flag is the secondbest flag in North America. We see it everywhere – on our license plates, coffee cups, flak jackets and in front of buildings. Students are required by law to pledge allegiance daily to the flags of the United States and of the Lone Star State. Our flag has an interesting history. In the early years of our republic, we had all sorts of flags proposed. Stephen F. Austin, stationed in New Orleans as a diplomat to the U.S., designed a Texas flag: A small Union Jack, three stripes -- red, white and green -- and a single star. Two of his fellow Texas diplomats changed the green to blue, changed the star to the sun with the head of George Washington in the center. They argued over whether to put “Lux Libertas” or “In His Example There is Safety” under Washington’s face. Sounds absolutely dreadful. Wonder if they had been hit-

ting the saloons on Bourbon Street. No one knows who designed the Lone Star Flag, but it was originally adopted on January 25, 1839, as the national flag of the Republic of Texas. Today there all sorts of laws dealing with our flag -- it can be used to cover a casket, but is not to follow the casket into the ground, or even touch the ground. It could not be shown horizontally. But in 1977 the Legislature amended that part of the law. The reason? At University of Texas football games prior to kickoff students would display an enormous Texas flag on the field, held horizontally. That was illegal. So the law was changed. Finally, a few years ago a dreadful hurricane hit Puerto Rico, which has a flag barely the same as ours. The Boston Red Sox were playing the Houston Astros here, and a Boston sports reporter wrote that it sure was nice that Houston, in sympathy, was decorated with the Puerto Rican flag. Ashby salutes the flag at ashby2@comcast.net

So ... what just happened? KEN

FOUNTAIN Editor

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

ike many of you, that was my reaction as I watched online as the Fort Bend ISD board of trustees voted to approve the retirement of Superintendent Christie Whitbeck in what proved to be a highly rancorous meeting on December 4. And the question remains two weeks later, after the tumultuous events that ensued.

The initial news that Whitbeck was voluntarily resigning, barely a month after she shepherded the district through a successful voter-approved tax rate election, came as something of a shock. The word, which came in the form of an email Whitbeck sent to district employees and families just a few days before, seemed to be completely out of the blue. There was no word on why Whitbeck, who took the helm of the state’s sixth-largest school district just over two years ago, was now leaving. Since the meeting occurred on a Monday evening, when I normally am putting the print edition of the Fort Bend Star to bed, I had to rework my plans for the front page to make sure the breaking story got into the paper, which doesn’t often happen with a weekly publication. Whitbeck had seemed to be on a roll. The successful VATRE election, largely aimed at raising salaries for teachers and other district employees, came after another VATRE had been rejected by voters just a year earlier. And, of course, it followed the passage in May of the

district’s $!.26 billion bond package, the largest in its history. No doubt Whitbeck, who has a long and distinguished career in public education in southeast Texas, and her executive team felt enormous pressure to see the VATRE passed. Like school districts across Texas and indeed the nation, Fort Bend ISD is struggling to attract and retain quality teachers and other employees. In a tight job market, many people who might feel burned out by the challenges public education has been facing, especially in the wake of the COVID pandemic, are looking for more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. The VATRE was meant, in part, to keep more people in the fold. That pressure likely led to two controversies that emerged during the VATRE campaign. The administration authorized two incentive programs meant to bring people to the polls. In one, teachers were allowed to wear jeans to school if they voted. In another, the district encouraged parents to take their children to the polls as a way, purportedly, to help foster a sense of civic engagement. Neither of the programs had any stipulation about how to vote on the VATRE. But it’s not an unreasonable assumption that people who showed up to the polls because of them might be inclined to favor the measure. The first public inkling that there might be some dissension between Whitbeck and some members of the board was an op-ed that Fort Bend ISD board president Judy Dae authored taking the administration to task for the incentive programs. (The op-ed did not appear in the Star but it did in another publication). Whitbeck responded to the criticisms in a video interview produced by the district. The controversy seemed to have subsided with the passage of the VATRE. But in retro-

spect, it seems it might have the catalyst for Whitbeck’s sudden departure. I began to watch that December 4 meeting expecting to see a very scripted, pro forma vote to approve Whitbeck’s retirement, with little new information. The meeting began with some very dry presentations by district staff about the design for the new Clements High School and academic programs. So far, so boring. But then the board went into executive session, where personnel matters are discussed out of view of the public (including journalists). When they emerged almost an hour later, the wheels came off. As I wrote in my news story, Position 7 trustee David Hamilton, one of the more conservative members of the board who is known for being a budget hawk, moved to accept Whitbeck’s retirement, seconded by Position 5 board member Sonya Jones, who was elected in May. Position 6 trustee Kristin Davison Malone, previously board president and one of Whitbeck’s strongest allies on the board, then launched into an emotional defense of the superintendent’s tenure, stating her accomplishments since taking the job in October 2021. Then she shifted her comments to why she believed Whitbeck’s retirement was happening. She stated that the situation was due to “personality conflicts” between Whitbeck and Dae, Hamilton, and “perhaps one other” member whom she didn’t name. She said she learned from Whitbeck shortly after the VATRE election that Dae had approached her and told her that members of the board were moving to remove her. According to Malone, Dae presented Whitbeck with an “ultimatum” - retire voluntarily or be publicly fired. (Dae has denied any such ultimatum) Before the vote, Whitbeck said she was not permitted by the board to address their

concerns in the executive session. This led to one of the more extraordinary moments of the meeting. Jones, an educator herself, said that the board had wanted to protect Whitbeck’s reputation by not revealing certain things. Otherwise, Jones said, Whitbeck “would never work in education again.” News coverage of the meeting showed Whitbeck’s jaw literally drop at the remark. (Jones later walked back the remark somewhat, saying she had never meant to imply that Whitbeck had engaged in any criminal conduct.) The board’s legal counsel advised that members restrain from discussing anything that was discussed in executive session, which was the right thing to do. Whatever the reasons for the board’s action, none of it should have been discussed in that forum, as they voted to approve an already agreed-upon retirement package. In later remarks, Whitbeck said she was “blindsided” when she learned that members of the board were moving to remove her, and that she had never done anything “illegal, immoral, or improper, and I never will.” (A week later, she reiterated these remarks to reporters.) For her part, Dae apologized to Whitbeck for the ugly way the meeting turned out, and promised Whitbeck she would receive a “proper send-off” at the December 11 meeting. Afterward, board members exchanged volleys about what transpired both in news reports and on social media. The December 11 meeting was meant to be even more scripted by the previous one, with board members giving glowing remarks about Whitbeck before presenting her a gift and flowers. But as I reported in my story, the meeting began with a raft of public comments, many from teachers, questioning the process by which Whitbeck’s

“voluntary” retirement came about and focusing their ire on the board. Just a day after that meeting, the board sent notice that a special called meeting on Friday would present a “lone finalist” to replace Whitbeck as superintendent. That finalist turned out to be Dr. Marc Smith, currently the superintendent of Duncanville ISD in the Dallas area. Smith, a native of the Houston area, has a long and illustrious resumé in education, including five years of executive service at Fort Bend ISD. But Friday’s meeting, which again was supposed to be largely celebratory, also came with its own drama. Malone asked what process the board used to select Smith, saying she had been shut out of the process. Dae denied that Malone had been excluded, saying the process was conducted in executive sessions that Malone chose not to attend. Malone countered that the only session she chose not to participate in was the second one on December 11, after she had felt attacked by other board members in the first. Still, Malone promised to fully support Smith, and indeed was part of the unanimous vote to approve him as the incoming superintendent. (Per state law, he cannot sign his contract until January.) As an outside observer, all this drama has been bewildering. After I took this job just over a year ago, I observed a lot of drama at FBISD board meetings, but after a change in the board earlier this year, I had thought much of that would subside. Indeed, it had seemed that way until just the past few weeks. From a journalist’s point of view, the recent events have been a boon. I’ve been able to get some substantial, breaking news into the paper, which doesn’t happen as frequently as I’d like. But, taking off my figurative fedora with a “PRESS”

card wedged into the hatband for just a bit, what’s occurred has been very bad for just about everyone involved - for Whitbeck, for the board members, for the district, and for the people it serves. It’s unlikely that we will get a more substantive idea of how Whitbeck’s departure came about any time soon. After reviewing the voluntary retirement agreement, a copy of which the Star obtained, it seems it was crafted to keep all parties from sharing any additional information. Whitbeck has said she might share more information at a later date. But barring any future litigation (and the ensuing discovery that would entail), it’s unlikely any new details will emerge for some time to come. One hopes that Whitbeck - who, again, has had a long and accomplished career will land on her feet. Every encounter I’ve had with her (and that actually goes back to when I was the education reporter for a small start-up paper in Katy and she was the first principal of Seven Lakes High School) indicates that she is a committed and caring educator. One also hopes that the fissures on the board that have been exposed in recent weeks can be healed, or at least ameliorated somewhat. And everyone should hope that Smith will succeed in righting a ship that at the moment seems to be unexpectedly floundering. Whether or not you are a parent of Fort Bend ISD students, or a staffer, whether you pay property taxes or not, we all have a vested interest in seeing the county’s largest public school district succeed. After all, they are educating much of Fort Bend’s future citizenry and workforce. Fountain reads, writes, and (occasionally) does arithmetic at KFountain@ fortbendstar.com

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Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to awilliams@txstreetmedia.com

FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS

ONGOING BOYS CAN SING WITH THE AWARD-WINNING AND EMMYNOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR!

Do you know a boy who loves music and singing? If so, encourage him to audition for the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas! No previous singing experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Boys have a limited time to sing in the unchanged, treble voice so it is important to take advantage NOW! At this time, auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s Audition page at https://fbbctx.org/auditions/ or call (281) 240-3800 for more details. Make the holiday season brighter for you and the boys in your life … check out the award-winning and Emmy nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir today as they celebrate this season’s theme: Singing Boys are Nothing but Treble!

SAVE THE DATE JANUARY 27, 2024 FELICIA SMITH JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION

Register now for the family fun Hope For Three Autism Advocates, Felicia Smith Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. This exciting event is on January 27, 2024, at Fort Bend Christian Academy, North Campus Gymnasium, 1250 7th., Sugar Land 77478. Teams of four, young and seasoned, have two hours to complete a 250-500-1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Awards immediately follow, and bragging rights are guaranteed! Check-in is at 9 am, and the timed competition is from 10 am to noon. The event is one way the local nonprofit raises awareness and funds for families with autistic children and loved ones. Register your team ($160) now. To volunteer, serve as a sponsor, or for autism resources, visit www.hopeforthree.org

AMERICAN LEGION POST 942 311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.

LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.

QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC offers ESL classes on Tuesday nights 6-8:30 from August 22, 2023 through May 21, 2024. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths. All are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org

FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS

ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264 Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.

EXPERIENCE COUNTS! 35+ YEARS SERVING FORT BEND COUNTY 14090 S.W. Freeway Suite #200

281-243-2344 (Direct) Sugar Land, TX 281.243.2300 (Main) • KenWoodPC.com

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail. com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www.fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy. org

JAM WITH SAM Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195

EXCHANGE

We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www. fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

THE SANCTUARY FOSTER CARE SERVICES

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.

Have a Non Profit? Need to get it out there? Put here in our community calendar!

PAGE 8 • Wednesday, December 20, 2023

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