Norris School Board votes to join national PowerSchool class-action over data breach

Noel (speaker who presented the technology briefing) told the board that a recent PowerSchool security incident revealed a support-account 'backdoor' that could have allowed unauthorized access to districts' student information. "There was literally a support username and password backdoor into everybody's account," Noel said, adding that the district’s network administrator, Brian Williams, had firewall rules that likely prevented local exposure.

Noel recommended joining a nationwide class-action lawsuit led by France Law Group, which alleges PowerSchool failed to protect data under contract and overcharged for services. "We have nothing to lose," Noel said, describing the recommendation as a low-cost way to participate in possible recovery; any settlement distribution would likely be proportional to student population. Board members discussed attorney-fee structures and alternative counsel; administrators said the class-action firms handle attorney fees out of any settlement.

The board moved, seconded and voted to join the action; the motion passed in a voice vote. Administration said Noel will appear on the docket next month to give a technology-report update.