School Asbestos Lawsuit Settled

Article Added January 27th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A lawsuit that originally filed for $500,000 in damages has been settled for $100,000. The litigation was filed by Holt Public Schools in 2003 against Testing Engineers & Consultants.

The settlement will provide for future capital improvements and a new building site for the school. A trial was avoided by both parties working through legal arbitration. Last month the Board of Education agreed to settle out of court. In 1988 TEC was hired to inspect the Ninth Grade Campus (formerly Holt Junior High) and reported that there was no asbestos. During routine improvements asbestos was found to be present.

While the Board of Education originally sought more than $500,000 in damages for the purchase of a new site and rebuilding (along with forecasted litigations against the school from parents), the arbitration eventually led to an out of court settlement. The cost of a new site and building were taken into account when the arbitration was settled. No other litigations or private lawsuits have been filed at this time.

Article Added January 27th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story