Former Humble ISD Superintendent Files Lawsuit Against District
The former superintendent of Humble Independent School District, Elizabeth Fagen, has filed a lawsuit against the district and Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. Fagen is seeking reinstatement as superintendent, claiming that her termination was unjustified.
Background on the Case
Fagen was fired from her position in July 2024, following a 4-3 vote by the school board. The termination came after her husband, Troy Kite, who was the district’s athletic director, was investigated for allegedly making sexually charged comments to staff members. Kite retired from his position in May 2024, and Fagen was placed on paid administrative leave.
Investigation and Termination
Fagen had disclosed her relationship with Kite to the school board in May 2022, and she recused herself from the investigation into his behavior. The district hired an outside law firm to conduct the investigation. After the investigation, the school board voted to terminate Fagen’s contract, citing a lack of confidence in her ability to lead the district.
The Lawsuit
Fagen’s lawsuit claims that the school board and the Texas Education Agency did not have "good cause" to terminate her employment. She argues that she did not violate any district policies and that her termination was unfair. Fagen is seeking reinstatement as superintendent, with full salary and benefits, as well as back pay for the time she has been out of work.
Procedural Errors
The lawsuit alleges that the independent hearing examiner who reviewed Fagen’s appeal made multiple procedural errors, including excluding relevant evidence and admitting hearsay. Fagen’s lawyers argue that these errors compromised the examiner’s findings and recommendation, which were used by Commissioner Morath to deny her appeal.
Response from the District and Commissioner
At the time of publication, neither the school district nor Commissioner Morath had responded to the lawsuit. The Texas Education Agency, which Morath oversees, did not comment on the matter. However, Humble ISD Board President Chris Parker called the lawsuit "an appeal of the appeal of the appeal of the appeal," and said it was "disappointing and deeply frustrating."
Current State of the District
The district has appointed a new superintendent, Roger Brown, who is facing his own controversy. Brown is under investigation by the school board for making a comment about wanting to "lynch the mayor" during a staff meeting. The incident has sparked backlash from district staff and the Houston chapter of the NAACP.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by Elizabeth Fagen is the latest development in a long and complex saga involving the Humble Independent School District. Fagen’s termination and subsequent appeal have raised questions about the fairness and transparency of the district’s decision-making process. As the lawsuit moves forward, it will be important to watch for updates and developments in the case, which could have significant implications for the district and its leadership.
