By Jamie Wiggan
Staff Writer
-Montour-
More than a year after Montour sued a parent-led performing arts organization to reclaim donated monies, both parties have agreed to a settlement.
The school board approved the agreement during its April 15 meeting without disclosing the terms.
Initially, the district had requested $27,000 from the now-defunct Montour Friends of the Performing Arts (MFPA), which they believed to represent the organization’s total balance at the time of filing.
While the district had made annual contributions over a three-year period totaling $21,000, in court filings, the MFPA said they had raised much of their funds independently and had spent much of what the district donated on production costs and equipment upgrades.
The MFPA fell out of favor with the district after disputes arose in the lead-up to the 2019 high school musical production. Two directors contracted by the district subsequently resigned, and the board formally renounced ties with the association and recognized a new group — the Montour Theatre Production Boosters — in its place.
In response to the suit, the association maintained it would apply its remaining balance to Montour theater costs and other school-related causes, but wished to do so on its own terms.
Representatives of the MFPA declined to comment until the paperwork is signed by both parties.