Spotlight On: Marc Smith, Superintendent of Schools, Fort Bend Independent School District
July 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Marc Smith, superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, highlighted a culture shift centered on accountability and leadership development. He emphasized the district’s role in community growth. Despite funding constraints, Smith remains focused on student achievement, teacher retention, and rebuilding trust through transparency and strategic planning. “I’m incredibly optimistic about where we’re headed. We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s more work to do,” Smith said.
What have been the most significant changes in Fort Bend ISD’s operations over the past year?
This has been my first full school year as superintendent, and it’s allowed me to reflect on what our district needs most. One of the biggest priorities has been shifting the culture, fostering a stronger sense of accountability, and raising the bar on how we execute across the board. From the start, I’ve put a major focus on leadership development. That includes our principals, our district leaders, and even our student advisory group. I always say, “Leadership matters,” because when you have effective leaders in place, the organization is better positioned to handle whatever comes its way.
This year, we’ve been working to set clear goals and expectations at every level. Departments and campuses have been developing specific metrics, and we’ve used that data to guide decisions and make adjustments as the year has progressed. That level of intentional focus on outcomes hasn’t always been there, so it’s been a real shift for the district. Change is always challenging, but I’ve seen a strong willingness to embrace it.
How does Fort Bend ISD contribute to attracting businesses and residents to the region?
Fort Bend County is one of the largest, fastest-growing counties in the nation, and Fort Bend ISD sits right at the center of that momentum. We’re one of the largest districts in Texas, serving about 80,000 students across more than 80 campuses. What sets us apart is our incredible diversity — over 100 languages are spoken in our schools. Whether you’re talking about ethnicity, economics, politics, or religion, our district reflects a wide spectrum of backgrounds and beliefs.
That diversity is something to celebrate, but it also challenges us to create an environment where every voice is valued. We understand the role our schools play in drawing people to the area. Families look at school quality when deciding where to live, and businesses look for strong school systems when investing in a community. That’s why I’ve made it a point this year to build strong connections with a wide range of stakeholders. I’ve met regularly with parents, business leaders, faith groups, teachers, and even realtors — anyone who helps shape the community’s view of our schools. Those conversations help us improve, and they help us tell our story in a way that reflects the great things happening here.
What initiatives are in place to enhance career readiness and workforce development for students?
We’re fortunate to have the James Reese Career and Technical Center, which is a CTE campus where students can explore a variety of career pathways, everything from automotive work and digital media to healthcare and human services. Students not only earn certifications, but they also get hands-on experience in real-world settings. For example, many of our students are working directly with hospitals right here in Fort Bend County, gaining the kind of experience that sets them up for success.
We also offer early college high school programs, which allow students to earn associate degrees before they graduate from high school. That’s a game-changer for families. Not only is it a cost-saving opportunity, but it gives students a strong head start. In addition to that, our high schools offer P-TECH programs, where students can complete internships throughout the county. Many of those internships turn into job offers.
How is Fort Bend ISD addressing the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention?
When educators are deciding where to work, they’re looking for more than just a paycheck. They want a safe environment. They want to feel valued. And of course, compensation matters. We’re doing everything we can to address all those needs. That includes offering hiring stipends and bonuses for hard-to-fill positions like math, science, bilingual education, and foreign languages. We’re staying competitive with our peers and doing what we can to make Fort Bend ISD an attractive place to work.
We’ve also expanded our recruitment efforts beyond our immediate area. We’re attending job fairs across the state and even nationally. At the same time, we support individuals coming from other careers through alternative certification routes. Some of our best hires come from outside traditional education pathways.
What steps are you taking to regain community trust and address facility challenges across the district?
One of the major areas we’ve been focused on is rebuilding trust around our bond program. There were challenges in the past, and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions — some projects were paused or scrapped due to funding issues, while others were prioritized and moved forward. We’re in a much better place now, and our board has been instrumental in helping us focus on what’s most important.
Looking ahead, we’re entering a long-range boundary planning process to balance enrollment across the district. Some schools are overcrowded, while others are well below capacity. That means we may need to consider consolidations or closures, which are always sensitive issues. No one wants to see their neighborhood school closed, but we have to make those decisions with the district’s long-term needs in mind. It’s part of the tough but necessary work of positioning Fort Bend ISD for a strong future.
How is the district aligning resources to maintain educational quality amid shifting demographics and budget constraints?
Texas ranks in the lower tier nationally when it comes to public education funding, and that’s something we feel acutely. We aren’t seeing fast growth right now, and that means our revenue, largely based on enrollment and attendance, has stabilized. That creates a tough environment when you’re trying to meet high expectations with limited resources.
We’ve taken an active role in advocating for better funding, including an increase in the basic allotment. Recently, I went to Austin with our board president, board members, and student leaders to meet with lawmakers and make our case. We’ve laid out clear legislative priorities, and we’re hopeful about some of the proposals currently in the works. But, regardless of what happens at the state level, we know we have to be proactive. That means continuing to refine our compensation strategy, finding creative ways to support our staff, and making sure we’re using feedback from our community to guide our decisions.
What steps are being taken to modernize learning environments and integrate technology?
This year, we implemented a major initiative by going one-to-one with student devices at the secondary level. Every middle and high school student now has a laptop with access to the platforms they need to engage fully with their coursework. That’s a big step forward for us, and the goal is to extend that same access to our elementary students in the future.
We’re also starting to explore AI and other cutting-edge technologies. Some of our campuses are already piloting programs, and we’re working closely with our chief technology officer to ensure that students have the tools they need to compete in an increasingly digital world. We have students participating in robotics and other tech-based programs, and we want to make sure they’re equipped to lead in those spaces. Innovation is a priority, and we’re committed to keeping up with the rapid pace of change.
What is your outlook for Fort Bend ISD for the next two to three years?
I’m incredibly optimistic about where we’re headed. We’ve made a lot of progress, but there’s more work to do. Our top priority is student achievement. Some of our campuses are excelling, while others still need support. What we’re focusing on now is making sure every student experiences strong academic growth, ideally a year and a half’s worth of learning during each school year. That kind of progress sets students up to stay on track and exceed expectations.
At the same time, we’re continuing to invest in leadership development. That’s part of building a culture of accountability and continuous learning, one where people are always pushing to get better. For me, that also means continuing to build strong relationships with our board and the broader community. In this next phase, I want to do even more to communicate the great things happening in Fort Bend ISD and make sure our story is reaching the people who need to hear it.
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