Students powered down computers, school phone service failed and a scheduled ACT session was canceled after a possible network security issue disrupted the School District of Monroe in Wisconsin.
Classes continued on their regular schedule, but the district limited the use of internet-connected technology. Families were directed to use ParentSquare, a school communications app, while district phones were unavailable.
The Monroe Times reported that high school students were told to shut down or unplug connected devices, including cameras and classroom monitors.
“As a precaution, we have taken preventative measures to protect the District’s network and technology systems while we investigate the situation,” Superintendent Joe Monroe wrote in a Sept. 10 email to families.
WiscNet, a nonprofit network provider serving Wisconsin schools, colleges, libraries and government agencies, reported losing its connection to Monroe early Sept. 10. It continued to list the district as experiencing a major outage Sept. 14.
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The provider’s records also documented a seven-day outage at Denmark School District earlier in 2026. Internet service there was unavailable for five school days during a reported cyber incident.
The School District of Monroe serves the city of Monroe and surrounding parts of Green County, about 35 miles southwest of Madison. It enrolled about 2,200 students across five schools in the 2025-26 school year.
District officials have not disclosed how the incident occurred, whether data was accessed or copied, who was responsible, whether a ransom was demanded or when systems will be fully restored. The district did not respond to questions before publication.
