Diamond school officials are asking for extra time to find expert witnesses for its lawsuit against Edison Schools, Inc.
In a request filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the school district's attorney, Paul N. Rechenberg, of Doster, Mickes, James, Ullom, Benson & Guest LLC., asked for an additional two weeks through May 31.
Since the trial is not scheduled until April 24, 2006, Rechenberg said, "the district does not believe this request will cause any prejudice to defendant or delay the trial of this case in any manner."
Just to be fair, Rechenberg said, the school district will consent to extending an additional two weeks to Edison to find its expert witnesses.
R-4 officials filed the suit, saying they do not owe approximately $87,000 to Edison for the operation of the summer school in 2002. As far as can be determined, Diamond is the only Missouri school district to show dissatisfaction with Edison about the financial end of their contract. Edison's summer school operation, Newton Learning, has worked with McDonald County, Sarcoxie, and East Newton schools in this area.