MOHAWK, N.Y. (WKTV) - A lawsuit against the Mohawk Central School District by a gay teenager who claims he was relentlessly bullied by classmates has been settled.

The district has agreed to pay the 15 year old boy's family $50,000. The teen, who the NYCLU said would only be identified as "Jacob" said he was relentlessly bullied by his classmates for years while attending school in Mohawk.

Last year, with help from the New York Civil Liberties Union, "Jacob" and his family sued the school district because they said the school did nothing to stop bullies from picking on him.

As part of the settlement, the school district agreed to reforms that should protect all students in Mohawk schools:

*The school district has enlisted the support of the Anti-Defamation League and will begin training staff on appropriate ways to address issues of harassment;

*It will review its policies and procedures governing harassment based on sex, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation;

*And it will report to the New York Civil Liberties Union, who represented the student in the lawsuit, as well as the Department of Justice on these efforts as well as its ongoing response to complaints of discrimination and harassment.

The NYCLU said a no-disparagement agreement that was part of the settlement, prevented the victim or his father from discussing the details that led to the lawsuit or any specifics about the settlement.

Robert Sullivan, the boy's father, said "Jacob" was attending a new school and was doing well. He said he was glad to have the lawsuit behind him, calling the months leading up to the settlement "extremely tough" on his entire family. Sullivan said that his last name was different from "Jacob's"

"I'm glad its finally at an end. It's been a struggle. It's a good outcome," Sullivan said. "I'm glad it's over."

Sullivan said he hopes the outcome of the lawsuit will lead to changes for schools everywhere - not just in Mohawk - and how they deal with bullying and harassment.

"I just hope the outcome of this has influence on other schools," Sullivan said. "Hopefully, it will make school a better place for kids that get bullied."

The NYCLU would not allow media to speak with "Jacob" after the settlement, only his father by telephone, with NYCLU attorneys present during the phone call.

The NYCLU also questioned the use of a photo of Jacob in the media and stories related to the case - a photo that just months earlier, the NYCLU, themselves, had dispersed to the media when they launched the lawsuit.

While the Mohawk School District agreed to write out a $50,000 check to "Jacob" and implement a series of reforms to protect other students from harassment, they do not admit to any wrongdoing under the deal.

"As part of the settlement, the school district agreed to continue an educational program for students and staff that is designed to make the school community more sensitive to issues of diversity and harassment," Mohawk School District Superintendent Joyce Caputo said in a statement Monday. "The District has consistently provided such training to staff since Fall of the 2000 school year and has provided training to students consistently since the 2000 through 2009-2010 school year."

Caputo said that student confidentiality issues and "common sense" prevent the school district from "defending ourselves against every allegation that has played out in the media."

The experience had been difficult for everyone in the school district and community, Caputo said.

"Our staff and administration would never knowingly tolerate discrimination or bullying by anyone," she said. "Still, I think it's important to stress that we continue to remain committed to doing everything in our power to prevent bullying and promote a culture of respect and tolerance in our schools."

"The school district also agreed to keep the NYCLU and the U.S. Department of Justice informed of these efforts as well as its response to any complaints of discrimination and harassment. The settlement agreement announced today outlines additional initiative and resources the district is committed to pursuing. The school district will continue training staff on appropriate ways to address issues of harassment, and it will review its policies and procedures governing harassment based on sex, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

Caputo noted the district has conducted staff development programs and has significantly expanded its anti-bullying programs and supports over the last two years.

"Bullying is not a new problem, but it's a real problem," Caputo said. "it takes place in all schools and all communities. Most bullying takes place beneath the radar of teachers and other caring adults - rarely out in the open. It is our responsibility and our desire to do everything in our power to make adults and children more alert to the problem and more empowered to respond."

"We are a small school district with a big goal: to be a lighthouse school district when it comes to bullying-prevention programs and promoting respect for diversity. It's the right thing to do - and we remain committed to doing what is right by all students," Caputo said. "The settlement also allows the District to remain focused on its primary mission of improving student achievement and providing the highest quality educational experience to all its students."