Billy J. Baines
Baines Middle School
Known as the “Children’s Principal” and a champion for all children, Billy J. Baines was employed with the Missouri City ISD in 1956 (until it merged with Sugar Land ISD in 1959 to form Fort Bend ISD) and then with FBISD for 31 years. In 1959, Baines became principal of Arcola Elementary School, making him the first African American principal named in the newly formed school district, where he also worked at Oaklane School,
which served grades 1-8. While serving in his first teaching assignments, Baines also volunteered to coach student basketball, track and baseball teams. After the desegregation of Texas schools, Oaklane School was closed, and Baines became assistant principal at Annie Wilcox Elementary School. In 1968, when Blue Ridge Elementary opened, Baines served as an assistant principal and later as principal. Prior to retiring in 1990, he also served as principal at Lantern Lane Elementary, a recruiter for school teachers, and coordinator for textbooks. Baines currently resides in Houston.