Snyder ISD is aware of recent news reports regarding Lifetouch, our school photography provider. Documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation include the name of a former executive connected to the investment firm that owns Lifetouch’s parent company.
We understand why this news is unsettling. When it involves anything connected to our children, it naturally raises concern. As parents and educators, we share those concerns. Student safety and privacy are not negotiable for our district.
The individual referenced, Leon Black, is the former CEO of Apollo Global Management, which owns Shutterfly, the parent company of Lifetouch. Mr. Black resigned from Apollo in 2021 and was not a Lifetouch employee. However, we recognize that the association itself prompts valid questions from families.
Lifetouch has provided the district with the following assurances:
There has been no breach of FERPA.
Neither Leon Black nor any investors from Apollo Global Management had access to student images or personal data.
Lifetouch operates independently from its parent company’s investors.
No student images have ever been shared with third parties or investors.
Snyder ISD has reached out directly to Lifetouch for additional clarification and written documentation. While we appreciate the initial assurances, we are not relying solely on those statements. The district is conducting its own due diligence and requesting further information to independently verify that all student data protections and safety protocols remain fully in place.
Additionally, Snyder ISD remains open to working with local vendors when possible. We value our community partnerships and encourage local photographers or business owners interested in becoming a district vendor to contact our administration office at 325-574-8900.
Our families deserve transparency, honesty, and careful oversight when it comes to their children. We will continue to monitor this situation closely, ask the necessary questions, and provide updates as appropriate as we work to ensure student safety and data privacy remain fully protected.