Antonovich Seeks Probe of Belmont Project

Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Tuesday called on the Los Angeles County Grand Jury to investigate the construction of Belmont Learning Center, the troubled $200-million high school project that has already sparked cries for a state probe.

“Spending over $200 million for one school is obscene, irresponsible and inexcusable,” said Antonovich, a former high school teacher who proposed that at next week’s meeting the entire Board of Supervisors direct the grand jury to investigate.

He said that he and Supervisor Don Knabe had spoken with a subcontractor who said the cost estimate was low. Knabe said the grand jury investigation was necessary to maintain “public confidence.”

The cost of Belmont, thought to be the most expensive school construction project in the nation, includes a proposed shopping center. The project has been plagued with woes, the latest being the revelation that school officials pushed ahead with construction without doing the appropriate environmental reviews before building on a contaminated site just west of downtown Los Angeles.

Legislators have called for probes by the state auditor and attorney general, as well as a criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office and the creation of an inspector general for the school district.