9. Related Party Transactions
The Company contributed to Future of School, a charity focused on access to quality education. Future of School is a related party as an executive officer of the Company serves on its Board of Directors. For the three months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, contributions made by the Company to Future of School were zero and $0.2 million, respectively, and zero and $0.8 million, respectively, for the six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. In fiscal year 2019 and 2021, the Company accrued $2.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively, for contributions expected to be made in subsequent years. The amounts shown for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 reduced the remaining balance and as of December 31, 2022, $2.5 million remains outstanding as related to the fiscal year 2021 accrual.
10. Commitments and Contingencies
Litigation
In the ordinary conduct of the Company’s business, the Company is subject to lawsuits, arbitrations and administrative proceedings from time to time. The Company vigorously defends these claims; however, no assurances can be given as to the outcome of any pending legal proceedings. The Company believes, based on currently available information, that the outcome of any existing or known threatened proceedings, even if determined adversely, should not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Securities Litigation
On November 19 and December 11, 2020, respectively, two putative securities class action lawsuits captioned Yun Chau Lee v. K12 Inc., et al, Case No. 1:20-cv-01419 (the “Lee Case”), and Jennifer Baig v. K12 Inc., et al, Case No. 1:20-cv-01528 (the “Baig Case”) were filed against the Company and two of its former officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, purportedly on behalf of a class of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the Company’s common stock between April 27, 2020 and September 18, 2020. On February 17, 2021, the District Court consolidated the Lee Case and the Baig Case under the caption In re K12 Inc. Securities Litigation, Case No. 1:20-cv-01419 (the “Consolidated Securities Class Action”), and appointed a lead plaintiff. The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint on April 5, 2021, alleging violations by the Company and the individual defendants of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act, and violations by the individual defendants of Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the Company and the individual defendants made false or misleading statements and/or omitted to disclose material facts concerning the Company’s technological capabilities and expertise to support increased demand for virtual and blended education related to the global emergence of COVID-19, its cybersecurity protocols and protections, and its administrative support and training to teachers, students, and parents. The complaint sought unspecified monetary damages and other relief. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in its entirety on May 20, 2021, which the District Court granted, without prejudice, on September 16, 2021. The plaintiffs did not file a second amended complaint, but appealed the District Court’s dismissal decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on December 1, 2021. On November 22, 2022, the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion affirming the District Court’s decision and upholding the dismissal of the case.
On December 21, 2020 and April 30, 2021, respectively, related derivative lawsuits captioned Larry Shemen, et al v. Aida M. Alvarez, et al, Case No. 1:20-cv-01731 (the “Shemen Case”), and Wajid Ahmed v. Aida M. Alvarez, et al, Case No. 1:21-cv-00618 (the “Ahmed Case) were filed by three of the Company’s shareholders in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The plaintiffs purported to assert claims on the Company’s behalf against certain of its officers and directors for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate assets, and for violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, based on substantially the same facts alleged in the Consolidated Securities Class Action. By stipulation of the parties on May 14, 2021, the Court consolidated the Shemen Case and the Ahmed Case under the caption In re Stride Inc. Derivative Litigation, Case No. 20-01731 (the “Consolidated Derivative Action”), designated as operative the complaint filed in the Ahmed Case, and stayed all proceedings pending final resolution of the Consolidated Securities Class Action. On December 29, 2022, upon stipulation of the parties, the Court approved the voluntary dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims, without prejudice, in light of the dismissal of the Consolidated Securities Class Action.