Board approves legal action against PowerSchool for data breach litigation

In a pivotal meeting on April 25, 2025, the San Marino Unified School District Board of Education approved a significant legal service agreement aimed at addressing a major data breach involving PowerSchool, a widely used student information system. The board unanimously voted to engage the France Law Group, which will represent multiple school districts in a mass action lawsuit against PowerSchool for failing to protect personally identifiable information (PII) of students and educators.

Dr. Jason Ross, who presented the proposal, emphasized the importance of this litigation, stating that the lawsuit holds PowerSchool accountable for its alleged negligence in implementing adequate security measures. The agreement is structured on a contingent fee basis, meaning the school district will incur no costs unless there is a successful monetary recovery from the lawsuit.

In addition to the legal agreement, the board also approved the 2024-2025 Proposition 28 school site plans. This initiative, passed by voters in November 2022, mandates that school districts allocate funds specifically for arts and music education, ensuring that at least 80% of the funds are used to hire qualified personnel for instruction. The board's approval of these plans is a crucial step in enhancing arts education across the district.

The meeting concluded with a light-hearted moment as board members celebrated the birthday of Mrs. Whitney McAlpine, who was also recognized for her leadership in earning the California Distinguished School Award for Valentine Elementary School.

These decisions reflect the board's commitment to safeguarding student information and enhancing educational opportunities in the arts, setting a proactive tone for the district's future initiatives.