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Bourne schools say PowerSchool support-site breach exposed directory data; district legal counsel sent letter
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan‑Zhou and Director of Technology Chris Oliver reported a breach of a PowerSchool support website that accessed directory information (names, addresses, phones, emails) but not Social Security Numbers; the district's legal counsel sent a letter alleging PowerSchool failed to report promptly under the district Student Data Privacy Agreement. District technology upgrades and an FY26 E‑Rate application were also reported.
Bourne — District leaders told the Bourne School Committee on Jan. 8 that a security incident involving a PowerSchool support website accessed directory information for students and staff but did not include Social Security Numbers.
Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan‑Zhou said the issue was caused by compromised access to a PowerSchool support website that is managed by PowerSchool, not the district, and she emphasized that Bourne Public Schools does not store Social Security Numbers in that system. Director of Technology Chris Oliver told the committee the only information accessed appears to have been directory data — names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses — and he said the district's legal counsel has sent a letter to PowerSchool alleging noncompliance because PowerSchool did not report the issue promptly under the district’s Student Data Privacy Agreement.
"The good news is the only information that was accessed was directory information which could include names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses," Oliver said. He added that because the breach was not reported for over a week, PowerSchool is out of compliance with the Student Data Privacy Agreement and legal counsel has initiated contact.
Oliver also reported operational technology work underway: the BIS door access control system was upgraded to resolve component issues; new projector equipment was installed in the auditorium; a new television screen was installed in the BHS cafeteria (with a similar screen ordered for BMS); network security testing is ongoing; and the district filed an FY26 E‑Rate funding application to support eligible technology expenses.
The district said it will continue network testing and monitor vendor responses; parents and staff were informed that Social Security Numbers were not part of the compromised dataset.
