The Alexander School District has asked that the mediation sessions schedule regarding its lawsuit against the village of Albany be postponed until a later date. The school district filed a motion asking the sessions be scheduled after an upcoming case that is headed before the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission. They want that case resolved before they proceed with mediation.

The lawsuit was filed last year when a dispute arose over the district’s wanting to hook a new wellness center into the village’s sewer system. Albany said it was entitled to the action based on the terms set up to govern the original school complex and sewer system, but the school district said it would require annexation.

After the lawsuit was filed, the village filed a motion in response to dismiss the lawsuit, but the judge in the case told the parties to try to work out a solution. When that didn’t happen he ordered mediation.

The school district then applied for and was granted an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency permit for another septic system in the wellness center, but Albany appealed that to the Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission. According to the attorney for the school district, they sought the EPA permit because the village had a history of discharge violation at its sewer plant and they were concerned that adding sewage from the wellness center would make the violations worse. The school district is waiting to determine if that appeal is valid, in which case the district will not be able to mediate with the village.