Humble ISD’s superintendent faces another potential vote on her job status. Here’s why.

Following a turbulent few weeks for Humble ISD’s leadership, the district’s school board could again take a vote Tuesday on Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen’s employment status.

Humble’s monthly board meeting includes an agenda item titled “consider and take possible action regarding employment and duties of superintendent” — a description that often foreshadows major change for a district leader. Board President Robert Scarfo did not respond to calls Monday from the Landing about the agenda item.

Fagen has faced waning board support in Humble following an outside investigation that concluded her husband, former district administrator Troy Kite, created a hostile workplace and sexually harassed his co-workers. Kite retired last month, one day before Humble trustees were scheduled to vote on potentially firing him.

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While Fagen hasn’t been publicly accused of any wrongdoing, the situation revealed a rift among board members and briefly called Fagen’s job into question in early April. Fagen has led the roughly 47,000-student district in northeast Harris County for nearly eight years, during which she’s had strong board support.

Here’s how Fagen and Humble’s board arrived at this point headed into Tuesday’s meeting.

May 4, 2023

An Humble ISD administrator submitted a Title IX complaint, alleging her boss, athletics and fine arts director Troy Kite, sexually harassed his coworkers. (The Houston Landing generally does not name accusers in sexual harassment cases.) The complaint prompted a nearly year-long investigative process into Kite’s behavior.

May 22, 2023

Kite was placed on administrative leave during the probe into his conduct. He remained on paid leave for nearly a year.

HUMBLE ISD MEETING DETAILS

• Date: Tuesday, May 14
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: Humble ISD Board, Business and Technology Center
• Address: 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble, TX 77338
• To participate: Community members must sign up here by noon Tuesday to speak publicly at the meeting.

February 9, 2024

Giana Ortiz, a lawyer appointed by Humble trustees, concluded Kite was responsible for creating a hostile work environment by frequently making “unprofessional and sexually explicit comments” about his co-workers, such as commenting on their clothing and bodies. Ortiz recommended that the district fire Kite.

The investigation also found that “locker room culture” was the norm in Humble’s athletic department, but Kite’s behavior was particularly “outrageous.” During interviews with investigators, Humble employees said Kite had “emotional outbursts” that involved throwing, slamming and breaking items at work.

February 17, 2024

Fagen applied to become the superintendent of the Washoe County School District, Nevada’s second-largest district.

In her cover letter for the position, Fagen said she fell in love with Reno, a city the district covers, while visiting with her husband.

“I believe that I am meant to be your next superintendent,” Fagen wrote. “I understand that might be a strong and unusual statement, and perhaps a strange way to start a letter of interest, but I wanted you to know because it is true.”

April 8, 2024

Kite retired, one day after trustees received the final investigative report.

In a statement the next day, Kite said he was “embarrassed” by his actions in hindsight, but thought his office was a “family.” He also claimed the investigation was not fair or efficient.

“We all joked around and engaged in adult humor, like many coaching offices in America,” Kite said. “When a complaint was made, I immediately changed my expectations for our office environment including my own behavior. I was the leader, and, in retrospect, I am embarrassed. I regret participating in and allowing behavior that was not professional among our small, office team. I have no excuses.”

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April 9, 2024

The conclusion of the investigation made for a heated school board meeting.

Trustees were set to take action against Kite after receiving the report. However, they took no action since Kite retired the prior day.

Trustees voted 4-3 to publicly release the investigation report. Trustee Robert Sitton opposed the release, revealing that the district is embroiled in several “intertwined” Title IX investigations, some of which were not concluded. Trustee Ken Kirchofer estimated the investigations have cost roughly $800,000 to date.

Trustees also were set to vote on Fagen’s employment status, which enraged three trustees who pledged their support for the superintendent. Trustee Martina Lemond Dixon claimed Board President Robert Scarfo placed the item on the meeting agenda with too little notice, leaving her surprised when she saw it.

Ultimately, trustees unanimously voted to remove the item from the agenda. They did not discuss why it was placed on the agenda or why they decided against taking action on it.

April 16, 2024

Washoe County School District leaders named Fagen as one of five finalists for their superintendent position. District leaders have not yet selected their next superintendent, though they plan to make the announcement in mid-May, with a start date of July 1.

May 14, 2024

Trustees will yet again consider taking action related to Fagen’s employment.

Trustees could also take action related to a Title IX report prompted by a complaint filed by an assistant athletic director. Unlike previous meetings, the agenda does not state who the complaint was filed against, meaning it could be separate from the report regarding Kite.