PATTON — The Cambria Heights School Board on Tuesday agreed to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit for $1.3 million.

The lawsuit was filed last June by one of former teacher Isaac B. Vescovi’s former students, with whom he allegedly had a sexual relationship during her high school years.

Within 30 days of the agreement’s execution, Vescovi must also pay the student $20,000 to compensate for her personal physical injuries, physical sickness and/or emotional distress due to the sexual abuse she reportedly suffered as a minor.

The complaint alleged negligence and vicarious liability toward the district and alleged claims against Vescovi for assault and battery and physical injuries resulting from Vescovi’s “offensive touching” of the student.

The lawsuit claimed district personnel knew about the romantic relationship between the student and Vescovi — who for a time was the student’s homeroom teacher and coach of the girls basketball team — and violated her Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process and equal protection under the Constitution.

In answering the lawsuit, the district denied it had knowledge of, and ignored, the teacher-student romance that allegedly had a severe impact on the student, causing her to develop post-traumatic stress disorder and mental anguish.

During the school board of directors’ meeting Tuesday, the board voted 5-1 to approve the settlement agreement, which will be paid for through the district’s insurance company, not taxpayer dollars from the district’s general fund, business manager Stephanie Renninger said.

Board member Jerry Brant voted against the settlement. Board members Justin Eckenrode, Stacy McDonald and Donald Owens were not present at the meeting.

As part of the settlement, Vescovi, the district and the student have agreed not to make any public or private statements that criticize, ridicule, disparage or are derogatory toward each other.

The student must notify the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania within seven days of receiving the payments to finalize the settlement’s terms by requesting the court enter an order of dismissal with prejudice of the lawsuit.

By accepting the payments and other consideration, the student is waiving any and all of her rights to claim future damages and other legal relief against the district and Vescovi, according to the settlement.

“If any term, condition, clause or provision of this agreement shall be determined or declared to be void or invalid in law or otherwise, then only that term, condition, clause or provision shall be stricken from this agreement, and in all other respects, this agreement shall be valid and continue in full force, effect and operation,” the settlement states.

The settlement was signed by the student Friday, Feb. 13; by Vescovi on Monday; and by school board President Ken Vescovi during Tuesday’s meeting.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.