DeKalb School Board Votes to Settle Construction Lawsuit
The DeKalb County school board this week voted to settle a construction lawsuit that dragged on for years. The district had been locked in a long-term battle with its former construction management firm.
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DeKalb fired firm Heery/Mitchell in 2007, complaining about costs and delays. Heery sued the district for unpaid invoices. DeKalb countersued, alleging breach of contract and fraud. This week, the school board agreed to accept a $7.5 million settlement from Heery. Board member and attorney Marshall Orson says it was time to settle the case and move on.
“The superintendent took the lead in the negotiations and I think the board was in agreement with the superintendent that way too much time and too much money had been spent on this lawsuit, that we were not in the business of speculating with funds should be used for the education of our children,” Orson says.
The district spent about $18 million on the case. DeKalb was placed on accredited probation last year after a blistering report from its accrediting agency. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools gave DeKalb a year to address concerns listed in the report. That year is almost up. SACS will conduct a follow-up review next week.
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