It is hard to believe someone attempts to make money by hijacking school districts’ computers and data, but times have changed. When the Rochester Public School was cyber-attacked in the spring of 2023, it shut down the schools for a couple of days, then forced classes outdoors because the heating system was locked by system computers, making it too hot to remain in rooms. The district refused to pay a ransom. Our highly skilled RPS IT department labored for months and spent thousands of dollars in unexpected costs to restore information and online systems. Other districts have not been so fortunate.
Please vote Yes on the November 2023 Rochester Public School Technology referendum ballot. Referendum funds will allow the school to add more security to protect students and staff inside school buildings, the cloud storing student data, and school operations. Technology is critical in the functions of the school, both inside the classroom and in the administration’s offices.
They need these added funds over time to make a comprehensive system without having to take away from other vital budgeted programs from the general fund like Special Ed support, plans to improve curriculum and libraries, and school supplies. Cybersecurity is not a one-time expense. Prevention and keeping systems up-to-date are the best solution to this problem.
Pass the Rochester Public School Technology referendum by voting Yes on or before Nov. 7 to let the school district build and then maintain its system to keep one step ahead of the bad guys and crooks.
Jan Hagedorn, Rochester
