[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6648771,"mediaKeyId","2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b","parentId",2623699,"title","Region 15: PowerSchool vendor breach exposed demographic fields; district says vendor responsible for security","audioSeconds",128,"startMs",3913000,"endMs",4041000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b&start=3913&end=4041","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b/thumbnail_3913000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6648771/Connecticut/Region-15-PowerSchool-vendor-breach-exposed-demographic-fields-district-says-vendor-responsible-for-security","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648771-70b6e3d81192a7eddb0521847fd82dcc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739768&Signature=brZNaYyyjm0TKmrSbgwLLqwneQukLTusARFab03RVhkk693WTTEfjInWOTV-ft6v86j3B9PEdh4ml-7o~HvrO9uE7~agwdctVaJXPRK~buR3cLeJyK~FXwa3Z8bu5y3B3XC6Ygaj6cPWYEKGnTzPyvsFpBeZta4X8uQuQRVTF9JqC2uBzEiMIP8H0EGDLTildH1MJDZ5HhN~RHZ7bN4DjSaTljk5rJFQ7HCDlVt8nzWi-sW0cdZ8Kjb1pF57MsQnEse30QkfJoASbqqfZEm9E-b0xpS1b-ORzMD1-gHc05QfKlyovRwpXupNCsR0dD2XCcBHQyzRakEloARZgtDBLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Regional School District 15","date","2025-01-13T11:40:10.377Z","article","Superintendent Smith told the Region 15 Board of Education on Jan. 3 that the district was notified by vendor PowerSchool of a national data breach affecting hosted student records. \"Once they told us where to look, we found where the person would need access, and it took less than 5 seconds to pull, like, 1, 5 years worth of data,\" Smith said.

Smith explained that the data in question were hosted by the vendor under a district contract; while the district provides and controls the data, PowerSchool is contractually responsible for securing its systems. \"This is not a Region 15 data breach. This wasn't our system...we host that data with them, their responsibility for the security of it,\" Smith said.

The superintendent said the fields accessed were largely demographic (contact and enrollment information) rather than medical records. He said PowerSchool informed the district about the affected fields on Jan. 17 and assured the district that it had identified the actor, mitigated access and destroyed the data copies. Smith said the vendor told districts it used discovery and destruction methods and would provide protections or remedies to impacted families.

Smith noted legacy records: Connecticut began using a student identification number after 2007; prior to that, some systems relied on Social Security numbers, so \"there may be some data, not of any student that's active,\" in legacy fields. The district said it does not store Social Security numbers for active students after that date.

Why it matters: the breach involves personally identifiable student information held by a vendor; school administrators said they will hold the vendor accountable under contract and expect the company to provide remedies to affected families. The district said it has cyber‑insurance but expects vendor responsibility for this incident.

Ending: Administration said it will monitor PowerSchool’s notifications to families and will continue to press the vendor for remediation and assurances under the district contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1-13-25 Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Smith told the Region 15 board that a national PowerSchool data‑hosting vendor breach exposed demographic fields for student records the vendor hosts, and that PowerSchool has notified schools, identified and mitigated the incident and reported data destruction.","taxTitle","Regional School District 15, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",61089,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648782,"Region 15 board advances six new course proposals including expanded culinary pathway and wilderness PE",514,2640000,3154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b&start=2640&end=3154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6648782/Connecticut/Region-15-board-advances-six-new-course-proposals-including-expanded-culinary-pathway-and-wilderness-PE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648782-44b5bac311514ea43d5a46e691a3277c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739768&Signature=JpVDB1AhJ5xLCAVN8vz8ZbYTP55CfUvuxjnVnOXJlpEhNKvqHAfED9FEdMN9XioPQQAN3cw4D-gIB1Swnq9YhUYumsYI5Y3~rSsJ2BWmN5JvbUaqt4iq688CbxpLYzzqhGHjEB9LF3xmGOOhLhlSDA94B3jJaxdOvnbP9pUbAdc1SXt8aXJdsW4J8SC93D1kINqvPtbS~0Znizqm4dbqYSOox6G~2RtVTjayivaL0s3-hvZFt0Q6MgokQ~lsnlYU0JpJNsbVukZhKzSxIQMnPiHv89Aq1njrjoxeNBTHtdRyMBhJyu6QrpVJLQHpVM5wbPOeWmVsBUkAy97GXz1tUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Region 15 Policy and Curriculum Committee presented six new course proposals to the full board on Jan. 3, expanding career and technical and elective offerings at the high school.

Committee chair Heather Dwyer said the proposals include an introductory culinary arts course, a bakery course, a restaurant‑management course, a continuation culinary course, an e‑sports offering and an Early College Experience (ECE) course. \"We have 6 new course proposals,\" Dwyer said, noting the district has grant funding available to support some curriculum writing costs for the ECE pathway.

District staff said the curricular sequence is intended to create a structured program so more students can access the renovated culinary space. The district plans to offer an entry‑level course covering food‑safety and kitchen basics before students enroll in intermediate or specialized classes. Culinary teacher Ms. Meskeen (spelled in the transcript as Meskeen) invited the board to visit the new space and staff said the facilities and two‑teacher staffing model will allow more students to rotate through the program.

Certification and cost: staff said the restaurant‑management course is intended to include ServSafe food‑safety certification; the board discussed whether the district would subsidize the certification fee. One board member noted that the current capital and staffing additions have already eased previous enrollment bottlenecks in the culinary program; the district confirmed budgeting includes a per‑student line of $179 for certification where offered.

Scheduling and access: board members and staff discussed how the district will stage course offerings. The superintendent noted that board approval is for course creation, not for running specific sections. Courses will be scheduled based on student enrollment; some one‑semester specialized courses (for example baking or pastry) may run alternate years depending on demand.

Why it matters: the proposals expand career and technical opportunities and create clearer pathways for students seeking post‑secondary credit or industry certification. Board members said they want to ensure broad access so the additions do not simply shift limited seats to more advanced classes and leave introductory students without access.

Ending: The committee moved the proposals forward; the board will consider course adoption and any budgetary implications in upcoming meetings.","The Region 15 Policy and Curriculum Committee presented six new course proposals to the full board on Jan. 3, expanding career and technical and elective offerings at the high school.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648785,"Region 15 superintendent: district at enrollment trough now; modest growth expected, staffing added to meet needs",697,253000,950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b&start=253&end=950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b/thumbnail_253000.jpg","/articles/6648785/Connecticut/Region-15-superintendent-district-at-enrollment-trough-now-modest-growth-expected-staffing-added-to-meet-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648785-db3e38634d4106b32b7eee3a46781272/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739768&Signature=bYbqxR2Y26UuJgV7H5BZKNmCBCuEgAHGJUHyU16vTEfgHbEWkVWXCPlwwtqUbmGHeP0cphYWCYgPixIfyfqbhsXFj2k3RMfSFat0j~3AH9ZXKdn7-Zh6Spx0YQmZ60ZnlG2NaaBXI0jhVJvwI~vahEAilS7NpVV2KOfMIO67tgO-EACx5K5da9PmksxPkmu9qQ0BI6f-zQMcX-mPDFPIeNJKCy-LTiDUQsUpD9CEENS0rsSpMtweo-yqp7MRNbJg9lluG25P4uuEcGpLoPq-G6VCqNqYb0LMPbH-BqH2NL2V9rqVV6jbjO9WUTE-3DMkGVPedDEcalysLjT4RCjFfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Smith told the Regional School District 15 Board of Education on Jan. 3 that the district’s official October 1 enrollment snapshot — the Average Daily Membership used by the state of Connecticut — shows the district at the bottom of a recent enrollment trough but projects a small increase over the next decade.

The superintendent said the district will use the October 1 count to drive town funding responsibilities and state and federal reporting. \"That enrollment...on that day called our ADM...it comes official on October 1,\" Smith said, adding the number drives \"anything that involved the size of the district.\" He noted the district’s demographers show elementary enrollment rising modestly over the next five years after the current low point.

The district presented a 48-slide enrollment report that the superintendent said will be posted to the district website. The presentation included staffing and demographic details: a net reduction of three elementary classroom teachers year-to-year alongside the addition of specialty positions — culinary, multilingual, learning center, occupational therapy and two math teachers — producing a net increase in some staffing categories even as total student counts fell.

Smith and staff explained some of those changes were driven by specific student needs rather than general classroom demand. He described how fractional staffing lines (for example, increasing special-education FTE from 13.1 to 13.4) reflect part‑time or contracted services: \"When you see that we added 0.3 of an employee, it means that we're providing about a day and a half of additional services at the high school,\" he said.

Board members pressed for detail on classroom impacts. The report cited a net decline of roughly 68 elementary students and three fewer elementary teachers overall; the district said average class size rolled up to about the same year-to-year (about two-tenths fewer students per class overall) but noted individual grade-level shifts. The presentation identified nine open paraeducator positions and said the district employs approximately 639 full‑ and part‑time staff (not counting intermittent substitutes, coaches, cafeteria staff employed under a separate structure, or bus drivers employed under contract with First Student).

Demography and projections: the district uses two sources — New England School Development Council for a high-level view and demographer Mike Zuba for more granular modeling. The superintendent said all three models used in the report show modest elementary growth over the next five years (roughly a 9% increase at the elementary level in that horizon), with increases later rolling into middle and high school.

On projection accuracy, Smith said a five‑year comparison found total K–12 projections were off by about 43 students (about 1%). \"Once you're established in our school district, they're very accurate,\" he said, while noting kindergarten projections remain the most volatile year to year. Board members highlighted the sensitivity of budgeting and capital planning to enrollment forecasts and urged ongoing monitoring of kindergarten registration and housing developments that could alter projections.

Why it matters: enrollment drives apportionment, staffing and long‑range facility planning for the two towns that fund the regional district. Board members said the data will inform budget decisions this spring and are especially relevant to discussions about class sections, parity among the district’s four elementary schools and future facilities planning.

Looking ahead: the superintendent said the full report will be posted online, and board members asked for follow‑ups during the budget cycle about class‑size patterns, middle‑school team sizes and the relationship between program additions and projected enrollment.

Ending: Board members thanked staff for the detailed report and noted further discussions are expected during the upcoming budget process.","Superintendent Smith told the Regional School District 15 Board of Education on Jan. 3 that the district’s official October 1 enrollment snapshot — the Average Daily Membership used by the state of Connecticut — shows the district at the bottom of a recent enrollment trough but projects a small increase over the next decade.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648777,"Region 15 finance committee: state excess‑cost reimbursement at 60% creates roughly $480,000 shortfall",70,3333000,3403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b&start=3333&end=3403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b/thumbnail_3333000.jpg","/articles/6648777/Connecticut/Region-15-finance-committee-state-excesscost-reimbursement-at-60-creates-roughly-480000-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648777-753fffaea5fd68c92c1d5c6d21daf886/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739768&Signature=hLRyTBV0VOb3e0jpsebxy6uAkDpq7pASi6WKgysWD4ig7fhF8tDIb597fu8~jucv9L~1Uxaatjutsp1-kE0uvVH1EyLLrmkCk~UxLU73J-9a4FqyL4X2dWRY0EvqYgBDrmRmleUaRGKAv-Aa8sJonTWvJJ52v9K6kCjHy97AxMJv2Izzhapq6UQLXZxW9kYzk3NX3CpSVXQucNcZ1JpeMQvxDOPcIwnKrW-EaXivydNSAvfXr-WL5Yllp~S5oavW8JLA7F9tc6c5VILpetCFH56Tbo6NeVLWGWnRNOqu-2C8PQRTAlJ0Ts1JTMtxwdolo6XuZ3JNoKveZ2-qJBeDOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shannon Cavallo, chair of the Financial and Facilities Committee, told the Region 15 Board of Education on Jan. 3 that the Connecticut Department of Education informed districts the excess‑cost special‑education reimbursement rate would be approximately 60% for the latest cycle. The district had budgeted a conservative 65% and earlier state commentary had suggested higher reimbursement; the lower rate reduces anticipated revenue by roughly $480,000.

Cavallo said the state allocates reimbursement based on the pool of funds relative to district requests and that districts statewide saw percentages that ranged from about 59.5% to higher levels in a few high‑need districts. The lower-than-expected allocation results from demand exceeding the statewide pool, she and staff explained.

She briefed the board on district mitigations: some anticipated tuition revenue did not materialize because students moved out of district, and the district has not yet tapped a contingency special‑education reserve put in place in prior years. \"We are somewhat insulated from this, unexpected, change,\" Cavallo said, noting both revenue‑side and contingency factors that reduce the immediate budget impact.

Cavallo said the district will continue to monitor accounts and will not yet shift contingency balances to cover the entire gap. She described the development as a budgeting risk that will factor into the biennial state budget conversation and next year’s district budget planning.

Why it matters: excess‑cost reimbursement supports local budgets when districts place students in private or out‑of‑district programs or otherwise incur high special‑education costs. A lower reimbursement percentage increases local net cost and can affect the operating budget and reserves.

Ending: Finance committee members asked administration to continue monitoring special‑education tuition and contingency accounts and to report back as the picture clarifies during the budget cycle.","Financial Facilities chair Shannon Cavallo told the board the state notified districts the excess‑cost reimbursement rate would be about 60% for the most recent cycle, below the district’s conservative 65% assumption, creating an approximate $480,000 revenue shortfall against expectations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6648765,"Board approves minutes and moves to executive session; routine votes at Jan. 3 Region 15 meeting",2276,2581000,4857000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b&start=2581&end=4857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623699-5515b6827c6a84301cd7e9ffeb8bc24b/thumbnail_2581000.jpg","/articles/6648765/Connecticut/Board-approves-minutes-and-moves-to-executive-session-routine-votes-at-Jan-3-Region-15-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6648765-217ff5868c92bf56d3b1d94c210bacfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770739768&Signature=hQz6nMwzRkr9vkXYrhmzDgtwHiELi3W15FoFYOek33PyRX9i7UPGd62hUoOs~-~EC2hlnZF6qLv5mtDw4HJJQyhlKkg8CRKnUZTlECUxqd25vxtj1FhFSMMBRWULGz95jV5AlC5IshWE51NrEjOl1ddm06sIy8zSXapB81q0S~FJV1nXLTMyjLBXKoTRQOAMQe0UdH6Ne1Y8r80ozDgm4qbKeFaT1FrCaaXUKhOdcb6a42YRtcXfMl0a0yrFEL27W2tlslopzPpLfPtT4Y2xT2I3kPZyckdH-vPlvwTbFA9oup9XbU79g1yE7HrBoLiN4-abdy~~oQPpxeg~ocgxFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Jan. 3 meeting the Regional School District 15 Board of Education took several routine formal actions.

- The board approved the minutes of the Dec. 9, 2024 regular meeting. The motion to approve was moved by Steve (identified elsewhere in the transcript as Steve Ceriani) and seconded by Sharon Kelly. The chair called for the vote and members responded \"Aye.\" The transcript records no roll‑call tally.

- The board approved the minutes of the Dec. 17, 2024 special meeting. The motion was moved by Heather Dwyer and seconded by Sally Romano; the board voted \"Aye.\" No individual roll‑call votes were recorded in the transcript.

- The board voted to enter executive session to review Superintendent Smith’s midyear goals, with Superintendent Smith and interns Erica Lanza and Jody Minotti invited to attend. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records the seconder as Steve Ceriani. The transcript does not include recorded individual tallies or recorded objections.

Why it matters: these are procedural votes that complete routine board business and allow the board to meet in closed session on a personnel evaluation matter.

Ending: The meeting moved into executive session at the end of the public agenda.","The Regional School District 15 Board of Education approved minutes from Dec. 9 and Dec. 17 and moved into an executive session to review the superintendent’s midyear goals. Motions were seconded and the board voted in favor; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Region 15: PowerSchool vendor breach exposed demographic fields; district says vendor responsible for security

Region 15 board advances six new course proposals including expanded culinary pathway and wilderness PE

Region 15 superintendent: district at enrollment trough now; modest growth expected, staffing added to meet needs

Region 15 finance committee: state excess‑cost reimbursement at 60% creates roughly $480,000 shortfall

Board approves minutes and moves to executive session; routine votes at Jan. 3 Region 15 meeting