The architectural firm named in a city school board lawsuit denied Tuesday the school system's allegations that it intentionally kept a $98,000 overpayment, saying the school system has failed to pay nearly $600,000 for work.

The city school board accuses Buck Simpers Architects + Associates Inc. of knowingly withholding an overpayment of more than $98,000 for a $620 bill for renovation work at Carver Vocational-Technical High School after a school board error in July 2008.

But a December 2008 suit filed in Baltimore City Circuit Court by the firm alleges that the school board failed to pay almost $600,000 — $30,000 for contract work and $550,000 in additional work performed, as a result of the increase in the scope of work under the contract.

The firm said the school's lawsuit, which was filed July 2 in Baltimore City Circuit Court and moved to U.S. District Court on Aug. 2, was an attempt to delay the firm's trial.

The company also denies the school board's claim that the company produced plans that did not meet city codes or industry standards.

jkanderson@baltsun.com