Woman says Kanawha BOE demolished controversial building

CHARLESTON - An employee at Point Harmony Elementary School is saying the Kanawha County Board of Education purposely demolished a portable building because of complaints over poor air quality.

Maryann Nichols filed a lawsuit Dec. 8 in Kanawha County Circuit Court, saying that during the course of her employment she was exposed to poor indoor air quality and mold.

Also, she claims studies confirmed the existence of both in the portable buildings formerly located at Point Harmony.

When she informed the board of her intent to sue over the exposure, Nichols says the board "willfully, recklessly, maliciously and with the intent to prevent her claims from being fairly litigated destroyed or otherwise disposed of one or more of the contaminated portable buildings wherein she was exposed to alleged hazardous conditions."

Nichols claims to have suffered a serious illness as a result of the exposure. She also seeks compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment and emotional distress.

Thomas Wilson of Charleston firm James Humphreys and Associates is representing the plaintiff.

Judge James Stucky has been assigned the case.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 06-C-2617