DISTRICT FEELS HEAT OF LAWSUIT WOMAN BECAME SICK IN CLASS.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Staff Writer

PALMDALE - A speech pathologist who claims she became ill after being assigned to an overheated classroom without air conditioning is suing the Palmdale School District.

Robin Vercruysse, who has multiple sclerosis, was hospitalized for four days in September 1998 after being exposed to excessive heat in the classroom, which had been converted from a hallway, her attorney said.

``One effect of heat on MS patients is that it causes medical problems,'' attorney Michael Calof said. ``We are seeking damages based on the fact that the district placed her in a converted hallway that was not air conditioned, in violation of their agreement with the union.

``They did not take timely and appropriate action, and they were aware of her medical condition,'' he said.

The lawsuit claims the district discriminated against her based on her physical disability.

On Monday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ernest Hiroshige denied Palmdale School District's request to dismiss the lawsuit. But he granted the district's motion to dismiss claims of breach of contract and breach of good faith and fair dealing.

A trial date has been set for Jan. 24. Vercruysse, who has been working at Summerwind School since 1997 three days a week, filed the lawsuit last year.

Attorneys for the school district did not return telephone calls for comment.

However, the district has contended that as a public entity, it is immune to claims arising from the discretionary acts of its employees, the judge's ruling said.

The district also has maintained that the school was experiencing a severe space crunch during the summer of 1998 and had no other alternative than to place Vercruysse in the converted hallway.