NINNEKAH, Okla. (KFOR) — A massive settlement, now on the shoulders of a small town school district. Ninnekah Public Schools were accused in a lawsuit of turning a blind eye to sexual assault perpetrated by a former girls basketball coach. RELATED COVERAGE: Basketball coach arrested accused of rape sexual battery The school district agreed to pay $7.5 million to 14 women and girls who accused Ronald Akins of grooming and sexual assault. Akins pleaded guilty to 10 felony charges last year. The lawsuit also states four other former officials at Ninnekah Public Schools ignored the victims complaints. However, they were dismissed from the lawsuit as part of the settlement. The district hopes since they have now reached a settlement, the community has received closure, and the district can move forward with a renewed focus inside the classroom. As part of his plea, Akins agreed to be sentenced to a total of 40 years —15 years to be served in prison followed by 25 years on probation, and registering as a sex offender. News 4 reached out to Ninnekah Public Schools for comment but they declined. However, the Ninnekah School Board sent out a press release saying in part, "the board and the school district's administration hope that the conclusion of the litigation will provide the community with closure regarding this situation and allow the school district to move forward with a renewed focus on its educational mission." Cameron Spradling, who represented the 14 victims, was also the attorney for other victims in four similar cases with other school districts dating back to 2019. Spradling sent News 4 the following statement on behalf of the Ninnekah victims. The 14 plaintiffs in this case are survivors. Many of them suffered unimaginable trauma as young children at Ninnekah Public Schools. They are pleased to have reached a settlement that they hope will make all schools across the State of Oklahoma safer by bringing awareness to child sex abuse in our public schools. Cameron Spradling, Attorney According to court documents, Ninnekah schools agreed to pay $1.5 million of the settlement within the next 30 days, and the remaining $6 million over the next three years. In the press release, they said the settlement was in the best interest financially for all parties involved including its taxpayers.