Seven Liverpool High School Students Charged in School Portal Breach
Liverpool, N.Y. — Seven students from Liverpool High School face charges following an alleged breach of the school’s online portal, SchoolTool, where disciplinary records were altered, according to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office.
The students reportedly accessed and modified disciplinary records for themselves and others, said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tom Newton. SchoolTool, a system used by the school district, stores critical student data, including grades, attendance, demographics, and disciplinary actions. While students and parents can view this information, they are not authorized to make any changes.
Five of the students have been charged with felony offenses, including computer tampering and computer trespass. Two others were charged with a misdemeanor for unauthorized computer use.
The investigation began in the second week of November after school officials reported the breach. Following a six-week inquiry, authorities discovered that a school staff member had provided their login credentials to one of the students involved.
Due to the sensitivity of the case and the ages of the minors, the Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed the names of the students or the identity and role of the staff member who shared their credentials. The staff member is not facing any charges, Newton confirmed.
The seven students were issued appearance tickets and released to their parents.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that the breach compromised the integrity of the school’s record-keeping system. The investigation underscores the importance of protecting access credentials to prevent unauthorized use and maintain the security of sensitive information.
This case serves as a reminder of the potential legal consequences of tampering with digital systems. School administrators are likely reviewing policies and procedures to safeguard against similar incidents in the future.
No further details about potential disciplinary actions by the school or additional investigations were provided at the time of the report.
