RE: Update on Windsor Elementary Technology Breach

March 22, 2018

Dear Windsor Elementary School Families and RSU 12 School Board Members:

As you are aware, there was a technology breach that occured at Windsor School earlier this month. I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on this incident, including the district’s response.

Law enforcement obtained a search warrant and conducted an interview of a suspect who confessed to accessing five student Google accounts and posting inappropriate material in their documents. The suspect is currently a middle-school-aged minor and former student of Windsor Elementary School.  

Currently, we are conducting an internal review of our response protocols to situations of this nature. So far, the review has prompted us to temporarily halt student access to accounts, change password protocols, and revise communication plans. All students whose accounts were affected by this breach will receive new Google accounts. As we restore access to student accounts, we will support them with education about password safety, ensure the creation of a new, strong password, and encourage them to share that password with their parents. We anticipate restoring access for all students on Friday, March 23rd.  

In addition, the district is convening its safety committee to ensure that our emergency response protocols include processes for responding to cyber attacks and other incidents of this nature. We understand the importance of a rapid response in order to protect students from harmful access and ensure clear communication with parents.  

We will continue to work diligently to support all affected students.

Please contact me directly at the RSU 12 Central Office, 549-3261, or Dr. Maggie Allen at Windsor Elementary School, 445-2356, if you have any questions or concerns about this matter.

Sincerely,

Howard Tuttle

Superintendent, Sheepscot Valley RSU 12

You can download a copy of this letter here