School Board sues contractor

The Baldwin County Board of Education blames Melvin Pierce Painting Inc. for the lead contamination at Spanish Fort Elementary School and wants the Semmes-based contractor to pick up the $1.5 million cleanup bill.

The school board filed a lawsuit in Baldwin County Circuit Court last week against Melvin Pierce Painting, alleging negligence, wantonness and breach of contract. The suit requests a jury trial and asks the court to require the company to pay the cleanup bill, as well as interest and court costs.

“We’re going to do everything we can do to recover as much of that money as we can,” Superintendent Faron Hollinger said.

Board sues contractor