Superintendent Mary Ann Bell and Director of Public Safety Bruce Painter sent out the following letter to Burlington Township School District families yesterday:
Dear Burlington Township Families,
We are sending this communication to our families to update you regarding some technology issues we have had during the past few weeks.
The District has been experiencing intermittent Internet connectivity since January 3, 2017. The issues have been caused by targeted internal and external Internet attacks. We appreciate everyone’s patience as we continue to work with the Burlington Township Police and all of their available resources in isolating any further threats. The District’s technology team was able to isolate at least one source of the attack and worked in collaboration with the BT Police Department, who were able to make an arrest. A juvenile student has been charged with a 2nd degree crime of computer criminal activity against the District.
We want to make sure that parents, students, and the community understand the severe consequences and ramifications of these illegal actions, which the authorities and the School District take seriously. If you have any information or know of anyone participating in these illegal crimes, please contact the police and/or the School District and we will work collaboratively to investigate and prosecute the offenders.
Any deliberate attempts to hack the Burlington Township School system are seen as a serious offense, punishable by the school with discipline up to and including expulsion from school and restitution for damages incurred. In addition to school discipline, criminal charges may be faced and could include fines up to imprisonment.
During this age of technology, the ability for our staff and students to work without disruption is critical to the overall learning process. Attacks like this also compromise the safety and security of everyone in the District. The District will not accept any threats to our students’ safety or learning and we are taking this matter very seriously.
We thank everyone for their patience and understanding.
Mrs. Mary Ann Bell
Superintendent of Schools
Bruce Painter
Director of Public Safety
