The state Supreme Court let stand a ruling in favor of a Lawrence County newspaper that had been rebuffed in its efforts to learn the terms of a school district's settlement of a dress-code lawsuit.

The court on Tuesday announced it would not hear the appeal by the New Castle Area School District of a Commonwealth Court ruling that it engaged in "wanton and willful disregard" of the New Castle News' right to a public record.

Three students, through their parents or guardians, filed federal civil-rights lawsuits after their unapproved patches were deemed a dress-code violation, and they were suspended.

A settlement was reached in April 2005, but the district insisted it remain confidential. A federal judge later unsealed the settlement, showing the district paid $12,500.

Commonwealth Court upheld a lower court's award of $8,820 in the paper's legal fees and litigation costs.

The paper intends to file a petition to seek about $11,000 in additional legal fees that have been accrued, said James W. Manolis, attorney for the New Castle News.