Settlement Information
A proposed Settlement of a class action lawsuit brought on by Marshall and Wetzel County Boards on behalf of approximately 2,500 school districts nationwide which alleges claims against members of the Sackler family who previously served on the board of Purdue Pharma L.P.
The lawsuit alleges that through their service on the company’s board these members of the Sackler family became primary architects of Purdue’s scheme to deceptively market and “turbocharge” opioid sales. The lawsuit alleges that their scheme has harmed schools in several ways: (a) because of turbocharged opioid sales, significant numbers of students have been exposed to opioids before birth, making them disproportionately likely to need expensive specialized educational services and supports; (b) in many districts, significant numbers of students now come from home environments where parents, caretakers, or siblings are struggling with opioid use disorders, creating additional challenges; and (c) some students are themselves struggling with opioid use disorders. The lawsuit alleges that responding to these developments strains already overstretched school district budgets. and seeks damages. The Defendants dispute these allegations and deny legal responsibility for Plaintiffs’ alleged harm.
Who Is a Class Member?
The Settlement Class consists of elementary, middle, and/or secondary public school districts in the United States (a) with enrollments of more than 5,000 students, or (b) that have themselves filed an opioid-related lawsuit, or (c) filed a claim as a creditor in Purdue Pharma L.P.’s bankruptcy.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Do Nothingno deadline |
If you do nothing, your district will receive no benefits from the settlement and also give up any right the district might have to sue over the issues resolved by the settlement if it is approved. |
Apply for funds from the public school districts’ opioid recovery trustAnticipated to begin March/April 2026 |
To apply for compensation from this Settlement, you must submit a request and proposal for funding to the Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust. Please refer to Question 4 and please see www.SacklerSchoolDistrictOpioidSettlement.com for more information about how to submit a valid grant proposal. |
Objectby January 15, 2026 |
If you are dissatisfied with the Settlement, you can write to the Court explaining what you dislike about it. If you object to the Settlement, you are expressing your views about the Settlement, but by objecting rather than excluding your district, your district remains a member of the Settlement Class (if otherwise eligible) and, as part of the Settlement, will release the claims covered by this Settlement. If you object, you must submit a written objection by January 15, 2026. Please refer to Question 18. Objecting does not disqualify your district from participating in the Settlement. But if your school district wants to be considered for a grant of funds from the Settlement, you must submit a request for funding. Please refer to Question 4 for more information. |
request exclusion (opt out)by February 16, 2026 |
To exclude your school district from this Settlement, you must submit a request to exclude (or “opt out”) your school district from the Settlement by no later than February 16, 2026. If you do that, your district will not be eligible to apply for grants from the Public School Trust under this Settlement, but you will preserve your school district’s rights to sue the Defendants over the claims being resolved by this Settlement.
The additional deadline for opt-outs to rescind their request for exclusion is April 27, 2026. |
GO TO A HEARINGMay 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. |
If you object to the Settlement as described above, you may also ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement. To ask the Court for permission to speak at the Fairness Hearing, you you must file with the Court a written notice of your intent to appear. Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and your signature. Your notice of intention to appear must be filed or postmarked no later than April 27, 2026. |
Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust Information
For comprehensive information about the Public School Districts’ Opioid Recovery Trust (“Trust”), please visit www.SchoolDistrictOpioidRecoveryGrants.com. The website provides detailed insights into the purpose and structure of the Trust, an overview of the initial phase of the grant-making process, and information on the districts that have already been awarded. Additionally, you will find explanations of the various types of grants available, eligibility requirements, and guidance on how to apply for future funding opportunities.
Dates and Deadlines
Apply for Funds
Anticipated to begin March/April 2026
Exclusion Deadline
February 16, 2026
Objection Deadline
January 15, 2026
Fairness Hearing
May 7, 2026