Chambersburg School District Faces Third Day of Closures Due to Ongoing IT Issues

Chambersburg School District Faces Third Day of Closures Due to Ongoing IT Issues
Staff Report
August 29, 2023
Local Educational News


Chambersburg Area School District (CASD) will remain closed on Wednesday, August 30th for the third consecutive day, following persistent IT network disruptions that have plagued the district. The ongoing technical issues have resulted in a halt in educational instruction, creating disruptions and challenges for both students and their families.

The school district issued an official statement, citing “temporary network disruptions” as the cause for the school closures. While the district is ardently trying to get schools up and running as soon as possible, the uncertainty surrounding the disruptions has left many speculating on the potential longevity of the issue. The statement reads:

“CASD continues to experience temporary network disruptions. As a result, all CASD schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, August 30th. We are making every attempt to reopen schools yet this week. We are working diligently with third-party forensic specialists to investigate the source of this disruption, confirm its impact on our systems, and to restore full functionality to our systems as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding and apologize for any inconvenience. As the investigation continues, further updates will be provided via phone, the CASD website, mobile app, and social media channels.”

Statement from casdonline.org as of 5:30PM 8/29
While the statement is explicit about the ongoing network issues, it remains vague on the underlying cause. The involvement of third-party forensic specialists strongly suggests a significant technological incident, possibly indicating a data breach or a cyberattack. Such speculation is fueled by the lack of clarity regarding the nature of the disruption.

Although the district is making efforts to resume operations within the week, the lack of a definite timeline has left parents, students, and staff in a state of uncertainty. With no confirmation on whether the IT issues stem from a ransomware attack, a data breach, or another type of cyber incident, concerns within the community are rising.


Until further clarity is provided, families are left to brace for the possibility of extended disruptions, relying on the district’s communication channels for updates. It’s a stark reminder of the potential vulnerabilities inherent in today’s technologically-reliant education systems.