Over-crowding at LOMS increases the numbers at BBMS (Sienna) before opening (how will the 2700 apts. impact these numbers over the next few years?)

From FBNow.com: Olympia Middle School Principal Pulled After PTA Clash
by Liz Mitton, Feb 16, 06:26 pm

In the midst of mounting parent concerns about overcrowding and increasing discipline issues at Lake Olympia Middle School, Fort Bend Independent School District officials have announced the abrupt departure of the school’s principal.

On Tuesday, parents received a letter from Associate Superintendent of Campus Achievement Dr. Alfred Ray that stated in part, “… we want to make you aware that effective today, Dr. LaRoyce Sublett is on leave due to situations unrelated to recent events at LOMS.” Sublett could not be reached for comment.

Initially, district officials would not disclose the reason for Sublett’s removal as principal. District spokeswoman Mary Ann Simpson confirmed he’d been placed on leave, but declined to provide details.

However, sources close to the situation say Sublett recently attempted to disband the school’s Parent Teacher Association chapter – calling the national association to determine if that was possible. He subsequently attempted to prevent district officials from learning of his action, which resulted in his removal, those sources say.

Fort Bend ISD Acting Superintendent Manuela Pedraza said contacting the national PTA organization and then covering it up “would have been the last straw,” but would not, by itself, cause the district to put Sublett on leave. There was a series of things that resulted in the move, she said.

Pedraza said at this point, Dr. Ray believed it would be best if he step in, assume the role of principal at the school, and assess the situation.

Sublett was named principal at the Lake Olympia campus at the beginning of this school year. He previously served as principal of Glover Elementary. Discipline and safety concerns seemed to mount over the months. Recently, the school made headlines when a student was shot at school by another student with a BB gun.

Parents of Lake Olympia students repeatedly have petitioned the FBISD Board of Trustees for relief from the school’s overcrowded conditions. Currently, the school houses more than 1,700 students – nearly 350 students over capacity.

Also, it is one of five campuses in the district that has not shown “Adequate Yearly Progress” under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

In response to parent concerns, the district recently added two hall monitors at the school.

Nearby Billy Baines Middle School, currently under construction in Sienna Plantation, is set to open this Fall. The school was built to relieve Lake Olympia overcrowding as well as accommodate continued growth in the area.

Baines MS is projected to open with 864 students, according to district officials, which would leave almost 1300 students at Lake Olympia. Parents have asked the district to look at amending the attendance zones for the new schools to even out those numbers.