Potential Cyber Attack Cancels Class at Rochester Public Schools

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Public Schools (RPS) students will not report for class on Monday, April 10. 

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A statement posted on the district’s website Friday indicated the district’s technology staff shut down its district-wide Internet connection after detecting what’s being described as "irregular activity" on its network. The shutdown meant students and staff were not able to access their Rochester Public Schools Google accounts, and the phones at school district sites were not operating. 

An updated statement posted Saturday afternoon says students will not report to class Monday due to difficulties of delivering instruction and services without internet access. RPS staff are required to report to their schools for an all hands on deck meeting at 9 a.m. Monday to plan on how to hold classes and provide services on Tuesday. Staff will then have the option to work the remainder of the day Monday from home since the major systems will likely not be operational. 

Sports and extracurricular activities on Monday will continue as scheduled. School Aged Child Care (SACC)  will follow inclement weather procedures from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday at Northrop, for families who participate in that program.

The online statement says RPS Technology staff are continuing to work with third-party cyber security experts to investigate the irregular activity. The investigation into the nature and extent of the incident is ongoing, according to the statement.