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Spring ISD board unanimously approves joining multi-district social media litigation and contingent-fee counsel
Summary
Trustees voted unanimously May 8 to authorize participation in pending federal multi-district litigation over social media's harms to children and to sign contingent-fee agreements with outside counsel pending Texas Attorney General approval.
The Spring Independent School District board unanimously voted Thursday to join a multi-district lawsuit arguing that major social-media companies have designed addictive algorithms that harm children and to approve contingent-fee legal agreements with outside firms to pursue the matter.
Outside counsel David Thompson of Thompson & Horton told trustees the harm to children and school operations is widespread and that hundreds of districts nationwide have already joined litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Thompson described remedies the litigation will seek as both monetary damages for past costs and injunctive relief to change platform behavior.
Trustee Adams moved that the board adopt a resolution approving a contingent-fee legal services contract and find the statutory criteria required for submission to the Texas Attorney General (the motion referenced the Texas Government Code citation recorded in the meeting materials). Trustee McDaniel seconded; the board voted and the motion "carried unanimously," the clerk announced.
A second motion by Dr. Jensen to enter into contingent-fee legal services agreements with named law firms ' including Thompson & Horton LLP and other local counsel listed in the packet ' was seconded by Trustee Correa and likewise carried unanimously.
What the board approved: The board directed administration to submit the contingent-fee agreement and request for expedited review to the Texas Attorney General as required for this type of contract. Counsel said the AG has been granting approval to other districts that have sought to participate.
Why it matters: If the litigation succeeds either in settlement or judgment, the district could recover funds to offset costs that Thompson described as related to student mental-health supports, discipline, technology filtering and academic impacts. The board recorded no dissent during the public action; staff emphasized Attorney General approval is required before final participation and fees become effective.
Ending: Trustees thanked counsel for the briefing and approved the resolutions. The board packet and staff minutes list the participating counsel and the motions recorded by the clerk.
