Shields Elementary School inspector settles with Red Oak ISD for $30,000

Red Oak ISD announced Friday the district has reached a $30,000 settlement with the building inspector who signed off on Shields Elementary School.

Last December, a tornado hit the school, toppling an exterior wall and raising questions about the quality of construction.

In January, an engineer hired by the district found that the original builder, Ratcliff Constructors, did not properly secure walls.

Bureau Veritas inspected and signed off on Ratcliff’s work.

Both companies denied wrongdoing and say they settled to avoid the cost of litigation.

Ratcliff Constructors paid more than $160,000 for repairs done by a new contractor.

Students return to Shields Elementary August 22.