overcrowding in some elementary schools due to population growth became an issue in 2007, particularly at four elementary schools in the towson area — hampton, riderwood, rodgers forge, and stoneleigh — which were said to have 451 more children than their 1,665-pupil capacity. in december 2007, a parents' advocacy group, towson families united, called for construction of a new elementary school to alleviate overcrowding, with the group threatening a demonstration near the courthouse office of baltimore county executive james t. smith, jr.. on may 6, 2008, the school board announced that a new school would open in 2010 near the existing ridge ruxton school on charles street.