Bloglander

The notion of moving the location of Spokane's Jefferson Elementary, at 37th and Grand, has been a controversial debate over the last year. In fact, it's one of several big issues dividing the candidates for the Spokane Public Schools board race.

But now, the stakes of the debate have been raised: A lawsuit, filed by the Hart Field Preservation Organization, just got filed.

The lawsuit — sent to Spokane Superior Court — argues that the school bond language stipulates the funding would "modernize" Jefferson. Not tear down, move and reconstruct.

Despite many bonds across the state failing in the recession, Spokane voters, in March 2009, passed a $288 million bond for a variety of upgrades, including modernization of Jefferson.

"It is our belief," says Dave Michealsen, president of the HFPO, in a statement, "that it directly speaks to the integrity of the School District by selectively wording the bond to intentionally mislead and sway the public to assure the passage of the bond."

However, the lawsuit also says the money could be used to "make other capital, security, and technological improvements to all schools in the District," which seems like it would cover a lot of different things.

The Inlander will be reporting on developments of this story.