An attorney representing the Mercedes Independent School District confirms the district has received over $3 million from various contractors, concerning construction deficiencies at John F. Kennedy Elementary.
The school was built at a cost of $6.5 million to taxpayers but was shut down in 2007 for "engineering and design" deficiencies, according to the district’s former superintendent Beto Gonzalez.
The district reported that it costs taxpayers of $5,000 dollars a month for building maintenance, according to the school district.
Attorney Michael Salinas said the entire settlement was $6.2 million, but $3 million is what remains after various legal fees.
Salinas said the district is still waiting to receive about $500,000 to $600,000 from a check that has not yet cleared.
He said the school district is still negotiating with one defendant.
Salinas confirms Scoggins Construction Co. of Harlingen is one defendant who has already settled.
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