Burlington School District's Lawsuit Against Monsanto Moves Forward

Federal judge rules the district can proceed to trial over PCB contamination at Burlington High School

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:07am

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A photorealistic studio still life of a shiny metal beaker filled with an amber-colored liquid, representing the PCB chemicals at the center of the Burlington School District's lawsuit against Monsanto. The beaker is placed on a clean, white background, using dramatic lighting and shadows to convey the serious, corporate nature of the legal dispute.A chemical beaker at the heart of a legal battle over toxic contamination in a Vermont school district.Burlington Today

A federal judge has ruled that the Burlington School District can move forward with its $135 million lawsuit against chemical manufacturer Monsanto. The district alleges that Monsanto knowingly sold dangerous PCB chemicals that were then used in the construction of Burlington High School, leading to the school's closure and a costly rebuild project.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles between school districts and chemical companies over the legacy of toxic substances used in building materials. The outcome could set an important precedent for how school districts can seek compensation for the costs of remediating PCB contamination in aging school facilities.

The details

In September 2020, the Burlington School District found that PCB concentrations inside Burlington High School were over 400 times the state's recommended limit. This led the district to close the school and cancel a planned $70 million renovation project, instead opting for a $200 million rebuild. The district is now suing Monsanto, which produced and sold the PCBs, for the difference in costs between the cancelled and new construction projects.

  • In September 2020, the district found high PCB levels at Burlington High School.
  • The high school was then closed, and a $70 million renovation project was cancelled.
  • The district is now pursuing a $135 million lawsuit against Monsanto.

The players

Burlington School District

The public school district in Burlington, Vermont that is suing Monsanto over PCB contamination at Burlington High School.

Monsanto

The chemical manufacturer that produced and sold PCBs, which were then used in the construction of Burlington High School.

Bayer

The German pharmaceutical company that acquired Monsanto in 2018 and is now a defendant in the lawsuit.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed to trial, where the Burlington School District will seek to prove its $135 million damages claim against Monsanto and Bayer.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing challenges school districts face in dealing with the legacy of toxic chemicals used in older school buildings. The outcome could set an important precedent for how districts can seek compensation from chemical companies for the costs of remediating contamination and rebuilding facilities.