Update as of 05/08/2025:

We want to make you aware of a recent update related to the PowerSchool data breach that was originally reported in January of this year. This morning, several school and North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) employees across the state received messages from threat actors claiming to have access to student and teacher data from that breach. We have been informed that several Canadian school districts have received similar messages as well.

Based on the current status of our investigation, we believe that the threat actors have access to the same data tables that were originally compromised. These data tables include student and staff names, contact information, social security numbers (limited student social security numbers), birthdays, medical notes, passwords (limited) and parent/guardian information.

NCDPI has already notified appropriate law enforcement agencies, who are actively investigating this incident.

We want to assure you that Wilkes County Schools and NCDPI have done everything possible to protect this information. PowerSchool, the vendor responsible for the incident, has taken full responsibility for the breach and is providing support services for those impacted.

What You Need to Know:

• Please do not open any suspicious links or emails related to this incident.
• Do not engage with anyone claiming to have this data.
• PowerSchool is offering two years of free identity protection and credit monitoring to all affected students and educators through July 1, 2025. NCDPI is advocating for this window to be extended further to ensure everyone has time to enroll. Affected individuals can enroll in identity protection and credit monitoring at no cost to themselves enroll in identity protection services. Services include:
  • Two years of complimentary identity protection for all students and educators affected
  • Two years of complimentary credit monitoring for all adult students and educators affected
  • These services are available regardless of whether an individual's Social Security number was compromised.
• Additional protection: Impacted users can freeze their identity for free through the North Carolina Department of Justice.

As we continue to work through this incident, we are committed to supporting students, families and staff with transparency and care.

Originally posted on 02/17/2025:

The following updates from PowerSchool are in reference to the recent nationwide data breach incident involving student and staff data.

Last week, PowerSchool began notifying individuals whose data was compromised via email. These emails will be sent to all up-to-date email addresses in PowerSchool and will be sent from [email protected]. Those affected include students and teachers in our system from 2013-2024. If your email address has changed, you may not receive communication from PowerSchool and should directly access the information on PowerSchool’s website.

PowerSchool is offering two years of complimentary identity protection services to students and educators whose information was involved. For students aged 18 and over and all educators, this offer will also include two years of complimentary credit monitoring services. PowerSchool will use the Experian credit reporting agency to provide these services and will offer options regardless of whether an individual’s Social Security Number was accessed. In Wilkes County Schools, it is believed that no student Social Security numbers were accessed during the breach.

PowerSchool has worked with Experian to set up a toll-free call center to answer questions about the incident and identity and credit monitoring services. You may call (833) 918-9464, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM through 9:00 PM (excluding major US holidays). You will be asked to provide an engagement number (B138812 for staff and students 18 and over; B138813 for students under 18).

All information regarding these services will be included in the email sent to impacted persons. You may also visit PowerSchool’s website to learn how to activate the services from Experian. While affected parties may get an email from PowerSchool outlining information about enrolling in the complimentary services, please note that PowerSchool will never contact you by phone or email to request your personal or account information.

The services being offered by PowerSchool and Experian are now active and available. Impacted staff and students may begin signing up for the services right away, even if they have not received the official correspondence. If you have not received the email, we highly encourage you to start the enrollment process on your own by visiting PowerSchool’s website. The deadline to enroll is May 30, 2025.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation. We will continue to share updates from PowerSchool and/or the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as they become available.