schools

PowerSchool system hack compromises data of Region One students, staff

FALLS VILLAGE — Region One Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, that Region One had experienced a data breach in December 2024.

PowerSchool, a California- based company, holds data from more than 60 million students in North America, according to its website. Its cloud-based system suffered the breach when an unauthorized party gained access to private information.

Brady-Shanley released additional details on Jan. 9, in the form of an emailed letter to all Region One families:

“PowerSchool, our Student Information System provider, has reported that their platform experienced a cybersecurity breach starting on December 22, 2024. According to their officials, an unauthorized party accessed certain PowerSchool SIS customer data using a compromised credential. PowerSchool has assured us that the breach is contained, and there is no ongoing malicious activity.”

“To address the breach, PowerSchool collaborated with a cybersecurity firm to communicate with the threat actor and obtained video evidence confirming the destruction of the compromised files. According to PowerSchool, to the best of their knowledge, the data was not shared or duplicated. As a precaution, they have implemented enhanced security protocols to prevent future incidents.”

In a phone interview Saturday, Jan. 11, the superintendent said the data was “demographic” information such as addresses and phone numbers of students, families and Region One staff.

She reiterated that “to the best of our knowledge” the data has been destroyed.

Asked if Region One will be getting a bill for the cybersecurity firm hired by PowerSchool to deal with the breach, she said no.

She said the breach was part of a much larger international operation.

At the local level, Region One has upgraded its administrative security procedures, she added.

schools

Latest News

Jean Jacquier returns to Town Hall to finish term as town clerk

North Canaan Town Hall.
North Canaan Town Hall.
Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — After months away from Town Hall amid what she described as a “toxic” work environment, North Canaan Town Clerk Jean Jacquier has returned to the clerk’s office to complete the remainder of her term, which by law runs through Jan. 5 following her victory in the 2023 election.

Asked whether she felt comfortable being back, she was clear. “I certainly am,” Jacquier said. “I have nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of.”

Keep ReadingShow less

Ohler, Bunce strike cooperative tone at Board of Selectmen meeting

Ohler, Bunce strike cooperative tone at Board of Selectmen meeting

Brian Ohler, left, and Jesse Bunce await the results of the Nov. 10 recount for first selectman in North Canaan. Bunce won by two votes.

Photo by Riley Klein

NORTH CANAAN — About 100 residents attended North Canaan’s Board of Selectmen meeting Monday night — with more than 40 joining remotely and roughly 60 filling the meeting room — marking Jesse Bunce’s first such meeting since being elected first selectman.

Bunce, who took office from Brian Ohler following last month’s close election, acknowledged that the transition has included some early bumps and thanked town officials and staff for their work during a period he said has not been without challenges. “I’d like to thank Brian for all the efforts that he’s put in in this transition,” Bunce said at the meeting. “This process has not been perfect. We are working through it all.”

Keep ReadingShow less

School lunch prices to rise at select District No. 1 schools

School lunch prices to rise at select District No. 1 schools

Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where the price of school lunch will increase to $4.00 beginning Jan. 5.

Nathan Miller

FALLS VILLAGE -- School lunch prices will increase at select schools in Regional School District No. 1 beginning Jan. 5, 2026, following a deficit in the district’s food service account and rising food costs tied to federal meal compliance requirements.

District officials announced the changes in a letter to families dated Monday, Dec. 15, signed by Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Business Manager Samuel J. Herrick

Keep ReadingShow less

North Canaan Santa Chase 5K draws festive crowd

North Canaan Santa Chase 5K draws festive crowd

Runners line up at the starting line alongside Santa before the start of the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K on Saturday, Dec. 13.

By John Coston

NORTH CANAAN — Forty-eight runners braved frigid temperatures to participate in the 5th Annual North Canaan Santa Chase 5K Road Race on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Michael Mills, 45, of Goshen, led the pack with a time of 19 minutes, 15-seconds, averaging a 6:12-per-mile pace. Mills won the race for the third time and said he stays in shape by running with his daughter, a freshman at Lakeview High School in Litchfield.

Keep ReadingShow less