Lawsuit at MPS still ongoing

McAlester News-Capital (OK)

Aug. 10--A lawsuit involving McAlester Public Schools over flooding damage to Parker Intermediate Center will continue for the time-being following the MPS Board of Education's decision to take no action on a settlement proposal in the matter.

The school board took no action on a proposed settlement during Monday night's regularly scheduled school board meeting.

The lawsuit involving MPS and the Oklahoma Schools Risk Management Trust stems from an incident in which Parker Intermediate Center flooded when a water pipe broke the day before school started in August 2013.

Item 10.8 on the meeting agenda called for the board to "consider and act to authorize settlement of appeal in Oklahoma Schools Risk Management Trust v. McAlester Public Schools". The item died for a lack of motion by school board members.

MPS Board of Education President Stephanie Giacomo declined comment after the meeting because the case is ongoing.

The News-Capital previously reported teachers, support personnel and other MPS employees evacuated the building on Aug. 13, 2013, after the building flooded and water gushed down hallways and entered several classrooms on the first floor. No injuries were reported.

Along with the flooded hallways and classrooms, other problems included windows that popped out and a buckled floor in parts of the school's first-floor area.

While repairs were taking place, fifth grade students from Parker attended classes at the former St. John's Catholic School at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 300 E. Washington Ave. Sixth grade students attended classes on the McAlester Campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College and also attended some classes at McAlester High School.

Repairs were completed later in the fall of 2013.

Contact David Dishman at ddishman@mcalesternews.com

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