VISTA - A Latino bus mechanic who sued an Escondido school district over claims of racial discrimination and intentional infliction of extreme emotional distress reached an undisclosed settlement with the district just days before the trial, his attorney said Thursday.

Robert Chavez alleged in a 2005 lawsuit that he had been "treated in a racially discriminatory way" by two co-workers for nearly five years while he worked for the Escondido Union High School District. He also alleged that district officials had knowledge of the mistreatment yet did nothing to stop it.

Court records indicate the case was dismissed Sept. 5 - two days before trial was to begin.

Chavez's attorney, Dale Larabee, said his client was "very pleased" that both sides were able to resolve the case, but Larabee said he is barred from discussing the settlement.

District officials on Thursday also cited a nondisclosure clause in the settlement and referred all calls for comment to their attorneys. The attorneys were out of the office and could not be reached for comment.

- Teri Figueroa