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Robert Glass: "Consequences for these young indivduals are likely to be severe."
Bloomfield Hills Schools is investigating students suspected of hacking the computer system to change high school grades, alter attendance records and refund lunch purchases.
"Unfortunately, a couple of our students made some poor choices lately, deciding to hack into our student information system, which houses all of our student and family data, and manipulate their personal grades, attendance, and lunch balance information," Supt. Robert Glass emails parents Thursday, adding that the district enlists data experts to investigate.
"Students gained access to the system by exploiting a vulnerability within the system. To be clear, the student information system is now safe and the vulnerability has been resolved.
"We also believe, through carefully collected forensic evidence, to now understand the motivations of the students’ actions. We believe they intended to improve their own grades and attendance and refund lunch purchases. We also believe they modified similar information of a few other high school students. At this time, we believe approximately twenty students total have had modifications made to their accounts in some fashion."
"Consequences for these young individuals are likely to be severe. Unauthorized access to computer systems is a federal crime and we are working with the proper authorities to determine the appropriate discipline and legal ramifications."
Bloomfield Hills High (District photo)
"I want to apologize to the community. I am embarrassed that students from our school district thought it appropriate to use their technology skills and talents selfishly manipulate grades, attendance, and other district data for personal gains. This is not who we are or what we teach."
The school system will erase existing Parent Portal passwords Friday, forcing users to reset their access codes.
Shira Good, head of communications, tells Deadline Detroit school authorities have spoken to the students involved in the hacking and discipline will be taken pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
She said the district is working to restore the original grades that were altered.
Update: This reader has a reaction others likely share (besides us, that is):
Somebody's going to want to hire those kids.
— SamT (@samuelt22223) May 17, 2018
