By Jordan Azcue, Contributing Writer
After many attempts to bring attention to harmful Fieldhouse conditions Guy Lecompte, Mandeville high school athletic director and head football coach, stepped down from his position and filed a lawsuit August 15 against St. Tammany Parish School Board in Louisiana (STPSB).
Lecompte’s lawsuit details medical issues he and other students and staff endured as well as the school board’s actions and lack thereof.
“Plaintiffs and other similarity situated have complained of, including but not limited to, water leaks, roof leaks, wet floors, paint peeling from walls, the presence of unknown toxic substances and safety hazards, directing complaints to their respective employers and STPSB agents and owners,” according to the complaint.
The Fieldhouse was not only in poor condition cosmetically, but created dangerous conditions for all those who entered, let alone the young athletes who spent a decent amount of time in the facility.
“During his occupancy of the Fieldhouse, named plaintiff suffered excessive illness, including but not limited to, Optical Hemorrhage, Tremors, Neuropathy in his Extremities, Constant Headaches, Nose Bleeds, Feelings of Constant Fatigue, Weight Loss, Skin Rashes, Neurological & Nervous Disorders, Pain in the Joints and Muscles,” according to the complaint.
St. Tammany Parish School Board, STPSB, not only ignored Fieldhouse inhibitors’ health complaints, but allegedly led people to believe the building was in safe condition.
STPSB informed Lecompte of a report stating the Fieldhouse contained high levels of Stachybotrys mold from August 17, 2016.
“STPSB ordered plaintiff to remain outside of the Fieldhouse; however, STPSB further ordered plaintiff to allow students and co-workers to enter the building and instructed plaintiff not to mention the presence of the Stachybotys mold in the Fieldhouse,” according to the complaint.
Although Lecompte was giving information about the harmful nature of the building, he allegedly was not permitted to share this information with students and other staff members.
STPSB’s lack of action to improve the conditions of the Fieldhouse went against its duty to maintain a healthy work environment for it’s employees and further proved its carelessness toward those who entered the Fieldhouse.
“Defendants’ actions, at all times hereto, were intentional or grossly negligent, and further, plaintiff’s respective employers acted with deliberate indifference or intentional disregard toward the welfare of the plaintiff’s and all other similarly situated.”
STPSB’s failure to eliminate unsafe factors with medical evidence plainly illustrates its disconcert for their employees and students within their district.
“Upon information and belief, defendants have been aware of the existence of toxic black mold and the conditions of the Fieldhouse in excess of five years and have done nothing to cure the defects and/ or warn those individuals entering the Fieldhouse.”
There has been knowledge of toxic conditions within the Fieldhouse for over five years, and not only had no one made an effort to fix the issue, but the school board allegedly tried to keep it a secret.
“Upon information and belief, the Fieldhouse has suffered with toxic mold infestation since 2011, or earlier, and that hundreds of students and employees have been affected by the poisons emanating this sick building,” according to the complaint.
Due to the similarities in health complications and sicknesses between the people who entered the Fieldhouse, the plaintiff argued that it is apparent that STPSB is directly responsible for staff and student’s toxic environment induced health issues for over five years.
He claimed that STPSB failed to fulfill their duty to maintain a safe environment for students and staff by neglecting Lecompte’s complaints multiple times as well as hiding knowledge of toxic mold within the Fieldhouse at Mandeville High School.
