Benton Harbor board votes to join nationwide PowerSchool data‑breach lawsuit

The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education voted Nov. 11 to join a nationwide lawsuit against PowerSchool Holdings Inc. and related defendants over the December 2024 PowerSchool data breach. The board approved a resolution authorizing the superintendent or a designee to sign an attorney‑client fee contract and to pursue monetary damages and injunctive relief, subject to review by the district's legal counsel.

Dr. Simone Griffin presented the staff recommendation, telling the board it was in the district’s best interest to join the suit on the terms set out in the proposed attorney‑client fee contract. ‘‘The board believes it is in the school's best interest to join the lawsuit on the terms specified in the attached attorney‑client fee contract,’’ the staff report said.

Trustees voted by roll call; President Robinson, Vice President Bowens, Trustee Gavin and Trustee Rocket Martin recorded votes in favor and the motion carried.

The resolution cites the December 2024 PowerSchool incident (NDL number 3149) pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The board’s action empowers the superintendent to execute the contract and to take necessary steps to seek damages for the district, but requires the superintendent to coordinate with the district’s legal counsel before finalizing the agreement.

The board did not discuss the specific dollar terms of the attorney‑client fee contract in public; the motion and vote were recorded in the meeting minutes. The district will notify the community of further developments as counsel and administration proceed.