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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies  
Commitments and Contingencies

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.

Georgia Cyber Academy Arbitration

On May 10, 2019, K12 Virtual Schools LLC filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), Case No. 01-19-001-4778, naming Georgia Cyber Academy, Inc. (“GCA”) as the respondent.  The demand asserted claims for GCA’s breach and anticipatory breach of the Educational Products and Services Agreement between GCA and K12 Virtual Schools LLC, as amended on January 4, 2019, based on GCA’s engagement of other educational products and service providers for the school year 2019-2020.  On May 29, 2019, GCA filed counterclaims against K12 Virtual Schools, LLC for breach of contract, fraud, breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing, and negligent misrepresentation.  The AAA appointed an arbitrator on June 12, 2019, and the parties presented evidence in support of their respective claims during merits hearings in March and June 2020.  On July 8, 2020, the parties executed an agreement, effective June 30, 2020, to resolve all of their claims.  Under the terms of the settlement agreement, GCA was scheduled to pay the Company $19 million over a period of two years, of which $10 million was paid in July 2020. The Company and GCA agreed to settle the remaining $9 million for a payment of $8.64 million that was received by the Company in August 2021.

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, one of its current officers, and one 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, inclusive. 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. Briefing in that appeal is forthcoming, and a decision from the Court of Appeals remains outstanding.

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 in the Shemen Case and the Ahmed Case allege 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”), and designated as operative the complaint filed in the Ahmed Case. The operative complaint purports 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. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, corporate governance reforms, and other relief. The Consolidated Derivative Action is stayed pending resolution of the Consolidated Securities Class Action appeal.

We intend to continue defending vigorously against each and every allegation and asserted claim in these matters.

Employment Agreements

The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain executive officers that provide for severance payments and, in some cases other benefits, upon certain terminations of employment. Except for the agreement with the Company’s Executive Chairman with an amended extended term to September 30, 2022, all other agreements provide for employment on an “at-will” basis. If the employee resigns for “good reason” or is terminated without cause, the employee is entitled to salary continuation, and in some cases benefit continuation, for varying periods depending on the agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2021, the Company provided guarantees of approximately $0.3 million related to lease commitments on the buildings for certain of the Company’s schools.

In addition, the Company contractually guarantees that certain schools under the Company’s management will not have annual operating deficits and the Company’s management fees from these schools may be reduced accordingly to cover any school operating deficits.

Other than these lease and operating deficit guarantees, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Risks and Uncertainties

Impacts of COVID-19 on Stride’s Business

While the long-term impact of the global emergence of COVID-19 is not estimable or determinable, beginning in late fiscal year 2020, the Company experienced an increase in demand for its products and services.

The Company continues to conduct business as usual with some modifications to employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of certain events. The Company will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter its business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities or that it determines is in the best interests of its employees, customers, partners, suppliers and stockholders. It is not clear what the potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on the Company’s business, including the effects on its customers and prospects, or on its long-term financial results.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was enacted and signed into law. The Company has evaluated the business provisions in the CARES Act and adopted the deferral of the employer portion of the social security payroll tax (6.2%) outlined within. The deferral was effective from the enactment date through December 31, 2020. The deferred amount of $14.1 million will be paid in two installments, $7.05 million of the deferred amount was paid in December 2021 and the remaining $7.05 million will be paid by December 31, 2022. The

deferred payroll taxes due on December 31, 2022 are recorded within accrued compensation and benefits on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.