Two Massachusetts communities are still coping with the fallout from recent cyber incidents that forced critical public services to shut down. Springfield Public Schools announced Wednesday that the district will stay closed through the end of the week, while Everett City Hall will operate from a temporary site at the Connolly Center until Thursday.
Springfield schools extend closure
Superintendent Sonia Dinnall explained that the district first disclosed the breach on Labor Day and has kept schools closed to protect student data and ensure a safe return. “Our priority is making sure that when our students return, our schools are prepared to welcome them back safely and continue providing the education and support they need,” Dinnall said in a statement. She added that the unexpected disruption has created challenges for families and staff, and thanked the community for its patience as staff work around the clock to address the incident.
The district said a professional‑development day for teachers is scheduled for Friday, and schools are expected to reopen on Monday. An FAQ posted on Tuesday emphasized that schools will reopen only when nurses have reliable access to vital student medical records.
More updates will be posted to the district’s Facebook page in the coming days.
Everett moves City Hall services to Connolly Center
Mayor Robert Van Campen addressed residents in a video on Wednesday, outlining the temporary arrangement. The Connolly Center at 90 Chelsea Street will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Thursday, providing services such as the treasurer, collector, assessor, city clerk, engineering, auditing, procurement, inspectional services and housing assessment.
“The Connolly Center is a temporary solution during a challenging situation, but it allows us to continue serving residents while this work is underway,” the mayor said.
No clear link between the two incidents
Officials in both Springfield and Everett said investigations are ongoing to determine the scope of the impact and whether the two cyber events are related. At this time, no definitive connection has been identified.
Local leaders emphasized the importance of restoring services quickly while safeguarding sensitive information. Both municipalities are working with state and federal cyber‑security experts to remediate the breaches and strengthen defenses against future attacks.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official city and school communications and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
