South Park hearing continues today

By Ken Fountain
July 29, 2009
Posted: July 28, 2009, 4:02 PM CDT Last updated: July 28, 2009, 11:22 PM CDT

Before a packed courtroom, Beaumont ISD Superintendent Carrol Thomas testified Tuesday that the district did not envision renovating the existing South Park Middle School when it put its successful $388.6 million bond proposal before voters in November 2007.

Attorney Michael Getz, on behalf of the Beaumont Heritage Society and Eddie Estilette, a former South Park High School student, tried to establish that the district and a public bond panel acting on its behalf conveyed information to the public before the election that the district would seek an alternative use for the 1923 building if it decided to build a new campus.

Attorney Melody Chappell, representing the district, argued that the case was about good change vs. bad change.

Thomas was the first witness called in a hearing before Texas District Judge Bob Wortham, who will rule on whether to grant an injunction to prevent the district from razing the existing structure.

Wortham extended Tuesday for at least one day the temporary restraining order he granted the plaintiffs a temporary restraining order on July 1.

The hearing will resume today at 9:30 a.m.

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