January 28th, 2005

Five special education students from Bridger High School are to sue Bridger school officials in what has been described as a shocking abuse of power and authority by the officials in question. The five students were reportedly treated differently to other students and were forced to clear up mouse faeces, a dead cat, and asbestos material from a site.

The students and their families have been described as very shocked at the situation and very concerned about the students’ exposure to the carcinogenic asbestos materials. The case against school officials will bring up the school’s flagrant disregard for federal laws and regulations regarding the removal of asbestos, as well as the health and safety aspects and implications.

The suit against the school officials states: “…{students and parents} have suffered severe emotional distress in learning that their children have been exposed to asbestos, a known carcinogen, and that they face an increased risk of asbestosis… The fear of an increased likelihood of developing a life-threatening disease is of the nature that no reasonable person could endure…{students} will forever be haunted by the specter of disease which well established medical science has found does not manifest itself after an exposure for 15 to 20 years.”

The suit will also focus on the fact that the five special students were treated differently in being told to perform the clean up, and this will form part of the case along with the legal and health and safety aspects.