EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN)- The East Palestine School District is sharing more details on its lawsuit against Norfolk Southern.
One of the lawyers representing the district says it is suing Norfolk Southern because its executives lied.
“It lied to the East Palestine Board of Education and it lied to the children of East Palestine,” Attorney Ashlie Sletvold said.
On Wednesday, the East Palestine School Board filed a multi-million dollar claim against the railroad in in federal court, accusing its employees and executives of walking away from the community over the last year and failing to follow through with promises made to reimburse the district for use of its buildings and property following the 2023 train derailment.
“District buses literally went door to door to evacuate residents from their homes and transport them to East Palestine schools,” Sletvold said.
Superintendent Dr. James Rook, who was a school principal at the time, said the biggest letdown was the railroad’s failed promise to build a new $30 million wellness and athletic complex.
“We were promised a gem — a cornerstone of this recovery effort,” Rook said.
A promise officials claim former CEO Alan Shaw spoke about frequently, including during congressional hearings.
“But since the derailment, Norfolk Southern has raked in over $16 billion in profits,” Sletvold said.
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Full Story: WKBN April 30 2025
