Board discusses joining proactive action in PowerSchool breach; vote set for Nov. 17

District staff presented a proposal to the Williamston Community Schools Board of Education to join a coordinated legal action arranged by an outside law firm related to the PowerSchool data breach that affected schools last year.

Adam (district staff) told the board the district has worked with the firm before and that joining now would not require an up-front payment: “It doesn't cost us anything to join other than the time it'll take, our central office team to provide the recent information that they're looking for,” he said. Under the arrangement, fees would be taken from any settlement (a contingent fee), not paid from district funds.

James Doyin (technology staff) was identified as the district’s point person; Adam said James had already collected much of the material the firm would likely request. Board members asked about the likely return and the time required; one board member said it was unclear whether the potential recovery would be large enough to justify staff time, while Adam said the district likely would be party to class litigation regardless and that participating early could be more advantageous.

No vote was taken at the meeting. Adam said the item will return for formal action at the board’s Nov. 17 meeting. The presentation emphasized no immediate financial liability for the district (contingent fees, if any, would come out of a settlement) and identified additional staff work as the primary short-term obligation.

Next steps: staff will provide additional details to board members and place the recommended action on the Nov. 17 agenda for a formal vote.