Mohawk, PA – A substantial financial settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit filed last year by Ronald Moncrief, the former athletic director and girls’ basketball coach of Mohawk Area School District. The terms of the settlement were finalized at the school district’s December 10 meeting.
Under the settlement, the district’s insurance carrier will be disbursing $10,000. Of this amount, $4,000 will be allocated towards legal fees for Moncrief’s attorney, Joel Sansone, and the remaining $6,000 will be paid directly to Moncrief as compensatory damages. This agreement was facilitated through Sansone’s office, which will handle the transaction.
The lawsuit, initiated in May of the previous year, stemmed from allegations of civil rights violations. Moncrief, identifying as the sole Black coach at the time, claimed he was dismissed from his role under racially influenced criticism, spearheaded by fellow coach Jennifer Pezzuolo and her husband, Mark Pezzuolo, who is also a member of the school board.
As part of the settlement, Moncrief has agreed to sever his employment ties with the Mohawk district permanently. Furthermore, should any future employers seek references, the district is restricted to providing only his dates of employment and job titles. This measure aims to prevent the escalation of the dispute and streamline Moncrief’s professional future without prolonged litigation.
The parties have also agreed to a non-disparagement clause, committing to refrain from public criticism or derogatory statements that could harm the reputation of any individuals involved or the school district itself. This includes comments in media, online platforms, or any public forums.
The agreement was ratified by school board President Sherry J. Patton and the district secretary on the day of the meeting, with Moncrief finalizing his consent on December 13.
In response, the district’s legal team from Andrews Price LLC initially countered Moncrief’s claims, dismissing the allegations outlined in the lawsuit. However, the resolution was achieved under a court directive ensuing from U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania proceedings.
This case highlights ongoing issues related to employment practices and civil rights within educational institutions, underscoring the complexities involved when allegations of racial discrimination arise within such pivotal community roles.
The conclusion of this legal dispute marks a pivotal moment for the school district as it moves forward from the contentious chapters of its recent history, hopefully paving the way for more inclusive and equitable operations.
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