The Henry County School Board met on October 8 to discuss key issues, including cybersecurity measures for the school system. The board also approved the purchase of five new school buses and adopted revisions to various school board policies.
Elizabeth Fulcher, Director of Technology, presented the board with an overview of the top cybersecurity threats facing the district, including phishing, ransomware, and social engineering. She emphasized that cyberattacks are becoming more frequent, often leading to system shutdowns or even holding data hostage for ransom.
“Social engineering is especially dangerous because it preys on human psychology,” Fulcher explained. “Attackers may impersonate someone, deceive, or manipulate emotions to gain access to sensitive information.”
Fulcher outlined preventive steps that help protect students, staff, and parents from cyber threats. Key strategies include using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and regularly updating software.
Within the schools, secure networks, device security, and student activity monitoring are essential components of the district’s cybersecurity efforts. “HCPS fosters a culture of cyber awareness,” said Fulcher, highlighting that both students and staff receive training on cyber safety. Reporting suspicious activity is encouraged to detect and prevent attacks early.
Cybersecurity education begins in elementary schools and continues through high school, helping students develop good “cyber hygiene.” HCPS also provides students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity, a growing field that offers valuable career opportunities.
Board member Benjamin Gravely expressed concern about personal cybersecurity, sharing, “I thought I was hacked the other day. This is really good information.”
Fulcher advised that regularly updating passwords and making small variations across different accounts is key to staying secure. “And never share your password,” she added.
The board also approved the purchase of five 65-passenger conventional school buses. “According to the bus replacement schedule, five buses are due for replacement,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Boone. The total cost is estimated at $635,885, which will come from the FY25 Transportation budget.
In addition to cybersecurity and transportation, the board discussed updates to Executive Order 33, which includes stricter cell phone policies set to take effect mid-school year. These rules will become permanent in January 2025 after students return from winter break.
The board also completed the second reading of policy revisions, approving updates to modernize district policies and eliminate outdated ones. Other board actions included recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and Bullying Prevention Month.
