Kearney Public Schools (KPS) in Nebraska is operating with significant technological disruptions after a cybersecurity attack compromised its network on Friday, October 10, 2025. District officials confirmed that while school phones, computers, and email systems are offline, classes will proceed as scheduled. Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf assured families that critical safety systems remain fully functional and unaffected by the incident.
Key Takeaways
- Kearney Public Schools experienced a cybersecurity attack that disabled its technology network.
- Schools remain open, but phones, computers, and email are not operational.
- Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf confirmed that student and staff safety systems are not compromised.
- The incident was a network compromise, not a ransomware attack, and no ransom was demanded.
- Cloud-based systems containing sensitive data like student information and payroll were not breached.
District Responds to Network Compromise
Kearney Public Schools announced on Sunday that its technology network had been breached by a cybersecurity attack two days prior. The district's internal technology team, along with external cybersecurity experts, began working immediately to address the situation.
In a statement, the district explained that the primary goals are to identify the source of the attack, assess the extent of the compromise, and restore all affected systems. However, officials noted that the recovery process is complex and would not be completed before the start of the school week on Monday, October 13.
The immediate consequence is a district-wide outage of network-dependent systems. This includes all school phones, staff computers, and internet access, effectively cutting off standard lines of communication like phone calls and emails.
"We understand this may cause inconvenience and appreciate your patience and support as we work through this situation," a KPS spokesperson said. "Please know that the safety and security of our students, staff, and data remain our highest priorities."
Superintendent Addresses Safety Concerns
Amid concerns from parents and the community, Superintendent Dr. Jason Mundorf issued a statement to provide clear information about the status of the district's safety infrastructure. He emphasized that the network outage has not impacted any systems designed to protect students and staff.
"Our Centegix rapid response system remains fully operational using external Wi-Fi. Our fire suppression systems are functioning as normal and are independent of our district network. Our secure doors remain locked and operational."
Dr. Mundorf stressed that the decision to keep schools open was made only after confirming that all safety protocols were intact. He offered a firm reassurance to families about the district's priorities.
"We would never jeopardize the safety of our students and staff for a single day of instruction," he stated, affirming that the learning environment remains secure despite the technological challenges.
Cyberattacks on School Districts
School districts have become increasingly common targets for cyberattacks. According to cybersecurity experts, this is often due to their large databases of sensitive student and staff information, combined with limited IT budgets compared to private corporations. These attacks can disrupt operations, compromise personal data, and lead to significant recovery costs.
Operational Changes During the Outage
With digital tools unavailable, KPS has reverted to manual processes to ensure the continuity of education and administrative functions. Teachers will conduct lessons without computers or smartboards, relying on traditional instructional methods.
Communication and Attendance
The district has advised parents and guardians of several important procedural changes until the network is restored:
- Contacting Schools: With phones and email down, any necessary communication with school staff must be done in person.
- Attendance: Teachers are taking attendance manually on paper. These records will be entered into the digital system once it is back online.
- Absence Notes: Families are asked to send a written note with their child upon their return from an absence to assist with accurate record-keeping.
- Early Pick-ups: Parents picking up students early, particularly from the large middle and high schools, should anticipate potential delays. Staff will need extra time to locate students without the use of intercoms or internal messaging systems.
These temporary measures are designed to maintain a structured and safe learning environment while the technology team works on a solution.
Details of the Cybersecurity Incident
Dr. Mundorf provided crucial clarification on the nature of the attack, distinguishing it from a more common type of cyber threat known as ransomware. In a ransomware attack, hackers encrypt an organization's data and demand payment for its release.
"It was a compromise of our network," Mundorf clarified. "We have not been asked for ransom." This indicates the attackers gained unauthorized access to the network, but have not, at this point, locked the district out of its data in exchange for money.
Unaffected Systems
District officials confirmed that several critical cloud-based systems were not breached in the attack. These include:
- Student Information System
- Payroll and Finance Systems
- Bearcat Diner Point-of-Sale System
The fact that the student information system, though secure, is temporarily inaccessible due to the network outage is the reason for manual attendance tracking. The core data within that system is believed to be safe.
Path to Recovery
The district's technology team and its external partners are working continuously to restore the network. The process involves isolating the compromised areas, ensuring the threat is fully removed, and safely bringing systems back online one by one.
Kearney Public Schools has set a tentative goal to have normal system functionality restored by Tuesday, October 14. However, officials have cautioned that this timeline is subject to change as the recovery work progresses.
"We understand the concerns this situation brings, and we appreciate your patience and partnership," Mundorf concluded in his message to the community. "Our primary focus right now is restoring our systems and maintaining a safe, functional learning environment for our students."
The district has promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available and as progress is made in restoring the network.