Idaho's Jefferson School District Cancels Classes After Ransomware Attack
On February 3, 2025, Jefferson Joint School District 251 in Rigby, Idaho, detected a ransomware attack on its computer network, prompting immediate action to investigate and mitigate the breach. Superintendent Chad Martin announced that schools will close on Thursday, February 6, and parent-teacher conferences scheduled for February 5-6 are canceled. The district is collaborating with nationally recognized third-party cybersecurity and data forensics consultants to assess the damage and restore systems. Law enforcement has been notified, and phone lines across schools remain down due to the attack. Teachers are adjusting lesson plans to function without technology, and parents are encouraged to reach out via provided text lines or teacher emails if accessible.
The district’s IT team is working alongside cybersecurity experts to analyze and secure the affected systems. While the investigation continues, Jefferson School District is prioritizing curriculum adjustments to minimize the disruption to students' education. Superintendent Martin assured parents of the district's commitment to providing high-quality education despite the technical challenges. Although many activities have been canceled, the scheduled daddy-daughter dance will proceed as planned, offering some normalcy amid the disruption. The timeline for full recovery remains uncertain as the district navigates this complex cyber incident.