Grand Jury Asked to Probe Belmont School Project

LOS ANGELES â€”  The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday asked the county grand jury to investigate the $200-million Belmont Learning Center construction debacle.

Supervisors unanimously approved the motion by Supervisor Mike Antonovich, a former high school teacher, without discussion.

Antonovich released a statement after the vote saying the “price tag for a $200-million ‘Taj Mahal’ high school . . . deprives our other county school districts [of] the funds needed to build affordable neighborhood schools.�

The learning center’s cost has been driven up by its unique design, which calls for a shopping center along with the school. Controversy surfaced anew about the project after The Times reported that district officials failed to perform environmental tests before beginning construction on contaminated land.

State officials and some school board members have called for probes by the state auditor and possible criminal prosecution.

Also on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District board ordered an immediate internal investigation and audit of all acquisitions, contracts and payments to outside consultants and attorneys related to the Belmont project.

The board also called for the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to be involved in all steps leading to the acquisition and certification of safety at any site--including Belmont--being considered for school use.

In addition, the district’s own environmental safety team was ordered to bring status reports on all health, safety, environmental and regulatory issues involving Belmont to the board every 30 days.