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PowerSchool sent out the update below. While this message is not much different from the communication we sent out yesterday, Jan. 9, we wanted to pass it along to continue to keep you informed.
While PowerSchool has continued to reassure the district that the data downloaded, including personal information, will not be shared and has been deleted, we ask families to be mindful of anything suspicious. With PowerSchool’s help, more information and resources will be provided to you as it becomes available.
Dear Trenton Public School District Family,
We are writing to make you aware of a recent cybersecurity incident involving PowerSchool, a software vendor which provides our Student Information System (SIS).
On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, PowerSchool informed our leadership team that they experienced a cybersecurity incident involving unauthorized access to certain PowerSchool SIS customer data. Unfortunately, they have confirmed that the information belongs to some of Trenton Public School District’s families and educators.
PowerSchool informed us that the taken data primarily includes parent and student contact information with data elements such as name and address information. Across their customer base, they have determined that for a portion of individuals, some personally identifiable information (PII), such as social security numbers (SSN) and medical information, was impacted. They are working with urgency to complete their investigation and determine whether PII belonging to our students was included.
Protecting our students is something we take seriously. With PowerSchool’s help, more information and resources (including credit monitoring or identity protection services if applicable) will be provided to you as it becomes available.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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Jan. 9 Message:
Dear Families,
We are writing to update you on a cybersecurity breach that has affected PowerSchool, which provides our Student Information System (SIS). PowerSchool recently discovered unauthorized access to its systems and is working to address the situation.
WHAT HAPPENED?
According to PowerSchool, someone used a compromised credential to access data stored in their Student Information System. When PowerSchool became aware of the incident, they notified law enforcement, locked down the system, and took additional steps.
WHAT DATA COULD HAVE BEEN ACCESSED?
Initial information from PowerSchool indicates that Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for staff and students may have been accessed for some districts. This may include contact information, including names and addresses, dates of birth, and grade information for current and former students, staff, and parent/guardian names and addresses. Please note: This breach is on PowerSchool’s end and has not affected any of our other systems in the district.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
PowerSchool has stated, “While we are unaware of and do not expect any actual or attempted misuse of personal information or any financial harm to impacted individuals as a result of this incident, PowerSchool will be providing credit monitoring to affected adults and identity protection services to affected minors in accordance with regulatory and contractual obligations.” While PowerSchool is responsible for this incident and its impact, the district’s technology department is reviewing our Student Information System to better understand what potential staff and student information was accessed. In addition, we have put in a report with the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC).
WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS?
We anticipate PowerSchool will provide impacted individuals with resources for additional information, which we will share at that time.
We have been informed that it is safe to continue using your PowerSchool account and we will continue to keep our families informed as we move forward.
Thank you,
James Earle
Superintendent
Trenton Public School District