County Renews Call for Probe of Belmont Project

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday reiterated its request that the county grand jury investigate the construction of the Belmont Learning Center.

Tuesday’s request, which mirrored one made in February, came on the heels of new reports that school officials and contractors may have delayed or distorted studies indicating that the school was being built on contaminated land just west of downtown Los Angeles.

Supervisor Mike Antonovich had asked for an investigation in February after news reports that the district had not followed proper environmental procedures. Even though the grand jury will not be seated until next month, Antonovich issued a second call for a probe, which was unanimously approved by the board.

At a cost of $200 million, the still-unfinished school is already the most expensive high school in California history. Its troubled construction has sparked legislative hearings and internal school district probes.