Fines dropped for Indiana school where stage collapsed

WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) - The state of Indiana says Westfield High School no longer needs to pay $11,700 in fines levied after a stage collapse this spring injured 17 students who fell about 10 feet into an orchestra pit.

The Indiana Department of Labor this month agreed to drop the fines after finding that a properly built and supported stage cover had been reinstalled at the high school, The Indianapolis Star reported (http://indy.st/1l9chkr ).

The Indiana Department of Labor and Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration levied the fines in October. The agencies issued the fines after inspecting the stage and finding that a new cover was installed since the accident without proper safety procedures and wasn't strong enough to hold the weight of students.

The agencies dropped the fine after the school provided them more information about the stage renovations.

"Westfield Washington Schools is collaborating with our public safety partners to ensure that we exceed all safety standards," Chris Baldwin, the district's director of human resources, said in a statement.

The high school's stage collapsed during the April 23 grand finale of an "American Pie" concert while students sang and danced. It sent dozens of students into the orchestra pit. No injuries were life-threatening.

Westfield High School is about 20 miles north of Indianapolis.

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Information from: The Indianapolis Star, http://www.indystar.com