Stafford's Scarcella is longest-serving U.S. mayor – Page 2
WEDNESDAY • NOVEMBER 20, 2019
Jack’s
TEA looking into SMSD after nepotism allegations By Landan Kuhlmann
NEIGHBORHOOD PUB!
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
WEDNESDAY STEAK NIGHT
14oz. Ribeye for $13.00 6p.m. - 10.p.m. 281-498-3410 11720 Wilcrest Houston, Tx. 77099
ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY CAKE TODAY!
Visit www.FortBendStar.com
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 66
Bostic
Rustika Rustika
The Texas Education Agency is considering whether to investigate Stafford Municipal School District following allegations of nepotism in hiring practices made by a former board member and district employee. TEA spokesperson Melissa Holmes confirmed
the agency received a complaint about Stafford MSD. According to KPRC, the complaint alleged collaboration between Superintendent Robert Bostic, trustee Greg Holsapple and Sterling Staffing Solutions to employ their relatives while circumventing the state’s anti-nepotism laws. “We are currently reviewing the facts to determine if a formal investigation is necessary,”
Holmes said in an email Monday. Bostic and Holsapple were named in the allegations made by former SMSD Chief Financial Officer Daniel Flores, according to the October report by KPRC. Flores made the allegations in July after he left the district, citing a hostile environment when he first broached the issue with Bostic. At the core of the al-
legations is the hiring of Bostic’s wife and Holsapple’s daughter, who were previously employed by third-party staffing agency Sterling Staffing Solutions to perform clerical and professional development services within SMSD, according to the report. The district said in an August statement on its website that the relatives’ work
SEE SMSD PAGE 7
Unrest
Café & Bakery Café & Bakery NOWOPEN NOW OPEN Next to Corelli’s Italian CUSTOM CAKES + PASTRIES + COOKIES Next to Corelli’s Italian + COFFEE + SOUPS + SANDWICHES
CUSTOM CAKES + PASTRIES + COOKIES + COFFEE + SOUPS + SANDWICHES
3227 HWY.6 281-494-4230 SUGAR LAND, TX 77478
auto - home - life
Thad Olive 1716 Dulles Ave. Suite 102 Sugar Land, TX. 77478 832-999-4292
www.agentolive.com
PAINTING Interior Painting Exterior Painting Sheetrock Textures Power Washing
100 OFF 713-298-8393 of any job $500 or more!
$
Insured • References www.smart-improvements.com
Kelly
Teen reported missing from Richmond
Police escort Swatara Olushola out of the Sunday night memorial service for the Sugar Land 95 at the James Reese Career and Technical Center in Sugar Land. Olushola was one of about 15 activists who protested the ceremony. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
FBISD holds ‘Sugar Land 95’ ceremony amidst protests By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The saga of the “Sugar Land 95” has been contentious ever since their remains were discovered last year on the site of Fort Bend ISD’s James Reese Career and Technical Center. Despite the fact they may soon be laid to rest, unrest clearly remains. Fort Bend ISD officials and community members gathered Sunday night for a ceremony held in remembrance of the Sugar Land 95, whose remains were discovered at an abandoned and unmarked cemetery
at 12300 University Blvd. in Sugar Land. The remains are believed to have belonged to incarcerated African Americans leased to a local plantation through the state-sanctioned convict leasing program in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Some community members and elected officials have criticized FBISD for proceeding with the ceremony, which preceded its plan to rebury the remains at the site they were discovered. About 15 protesters lined the sidewalks just in front of the James Reese Career and Technical Center prior to Sunday’s gathering. Several were later escorted out of the
FBISD Superintendent Charles Dupre (center) and board members take part in a candlelight walk during Sunday night's ceremony memorializing the Sugar Land 95. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
by not properly surveying the land and then digging up the remains without finding who they are and locating
descendants to be a part of
SEE SL 95 PAGE 8
Lady Panthers seek redemption at state tourney By Landan Kuhlmann
From Staff Reports
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office is seeking help in finding a teenager reported missing from Fort Bend County. According to FBCSO, 19-yearold McKayla Kelly was last seen Nov. 12 in the 2700 block of Sage Bluff Avenue in Richmond. Police say Kelly is 5-foot-3 and
SEE MISSING PAGE 2
ceremony by FBISD police after they called for Superintendent Charles Dupre to resign and demanded the district release the genetic material they have sent to researchers for identification. “It has never been the intention of Fort Bend ISD to honor or respect the Sugar Land 95 in any way,” said activist Swatara Olushola, who was formerly a member of a Sugar Land task force and advisory committee regarding the Sugar Land 95. “They have shown that from the very beginning of this process. Not only by continuing to build a school on a ground where they knew a cemetery might be, but also
Lindsey Ogle prepares to hit the volleyball during Ridge Point's regional semifinal match against Pearland Dawson on Friday at Wheeler Fieldhouse. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
In high school sports, second chances at glory don't often present themselves. Now that they've earned theirs, the Ridge Point Lady Panthers are focused on completing the mission. "All I could think of is that we're not finished with our season. We still need to return to state and finish our business," senior setter Reagan Rutherford
said Monday. After falling to Flower Mound in the 2018 statetitle match, Ridge Point is headed back to the UIL state volleyball tournament at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. The Lady Panthers (46-4) face Plano West (39-5) in the Class 6A state semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday, with the winner facing Trophy Club Nelson (48-2) or Schertz Clemens (44-4) for the championship at 5 p.m. Saturday. "Knowing that not a lot of people get a sec-
ond chance – but we do – means a lot to us," senior middle blocker Claire Jeter said. "So we know we need to take it and run with it." Ridge Point's experienced roster boasts 12 upperclassmen, including nine seniors who have paved the way for a potentially historic culmination of a season to remember. Three of the seniors recently were named to Under Armour Girls
SEE VOLLEYBALL PAGE 5
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING & DESIGN • HEATING
A/C & HEATING SPECIALIST AIR CONDITIONING & DESIGN • HEATING
832.731.5256
IN BUSINESS OVER 30 YEARS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED LICENSE # TACLB18036E
www.HoustonHeatandCooling.com service@taurushvac.com