RCS: Tech, security concerns abated

In addition to alleged Title IX inequities, Richmond Community Schools addressed recent security and technology concerns during its Oct. 9 meeting.

Although the Title IX investigation is ramping up after engaging Noblesville-based law firm Church, Church, Hittle and Antrim to conduct an audit of RHS’ athletic programs, the other two situations appear to be wrapping up.

Security

After September’s online threats and a 14-year-old’s arrest, RCS Police Chief Rick Thalls Jr. said he feels that Richmond schools are just as safe now as they have been before these threats began. He said perceptions of that safety changed for a brief moment, largely because of social media. 

Threats in Georgia then began spreading across the nation. That two-week trend appears to have come and gone, Thalls said, but RCS’ police officers are prepared to deal with it in the future if needed. 

RCS constantly reviews its safety protocols, said Thalls, as he thanked Superintendent Curtis Wright and Brad Walton, director of facilities and security, for encouraging such a review just before those incidents.

Thalls and Wright thanked community partners for their assistance.   

Technology

Alex Hazelbaker credited Sandra Blevins, executive secretary of technology, for catching the ransomware attack of Sept. 27 so quickly and helping schools stay open.

Local, state and federal agencies quickly responded to help RCS investigate the cyberattack, and RCS’ incident response plan was followed, Hazelbaker said. Additional measures have been taken to bolster cybersecurity. 

Although cyberattackers acquired some faculty, staff and student information from the PowerSchool program, Hazelbaker said there’s no evidence of it being misused.

Several key programs have been restored, but some access was being resolved as RCS began its fall break Oct. 14.

RCS thanked neighboring school districts and community partners for providing cellular-based networks.

Hazelbaker named each member of the technology team, and board members including Nicole Stults expressed gratitude for their “huge undertaking” in getting operations restored. Kym Pickering thanked staff and teachers for their flexibility with instruction when technology wasn’t available. 

Board vacancy

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, for the at-large seat vacated by member Peter Zaleski.

In addition to the application form available at werrrichmond.com, candidates should submit a resume. They can be emailed to cynthia3@rcs.k12.in.us or delivered to the administration building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond.  

Applicants must be at least 21 and have lived within RCS boundaries for a year.

In other business

• The board unanimously approved RCS’ 2025 budget and 2025-2030 bus replacement plan. The vote for the 2025 capital project plan was 4-1 with John Weber voting no. Weber did not say why he voted no.
• The board approved advertising a public auction of obsolete equipment at 5 p.m. Oct. 24 at the bus garage on Salisbury Road.
• Celebrations included RHS’ homecoming parade, class games and dance, the annual Boston Run for elementary students, Title I cooking demonstration, and the middle school choir concert.  The parade, which features entries from around the district, had so many entries that the staging site, Cordell Municipal Pool’s parking lot, was about full.