Montclair BOE Willing To Fund Probe Into Alleged Computer 'Security Breach'

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair Board of Education is willing to fund an outside investigation of the local teachers union’s allegations that some of its computers may have been “breached,” board members stated.

During the Feb. 29 public board meeting, Board President Jessica de Koninck read a prepared statement regarding the Montclair Education Association’s recent allegations that there was a “security breach” of some computers that its members use.

• See related article: Montclair Teachers Union Reports 'Security Breach'

De Koninck reminded meeting attendees that there is “no expectation of privacy regarding district computers,” and that anyone who works in the district should understand that his or her computer is district property.

“It has been relayed to the association prior to the meeting that the documents the board has in its possession do indicate that certain computers were mirrored,” De Koninck said.

However, the board president also stated that “as far as the association’s computers being mirrored, the association has also been informed that the Board of Education has no documentation that this occurred.”

Board members are willing to fund an outside examination of any MEA computer in question, De Koninck said.

“The board will appoint a special committee of limited duration to review the legal files concerning the assessment matter, which are currently in the custody of the board attorney,” De Koninck added.

The video from the Feb. 29 meeting can be seen below. De Konick’s prepared statement begins at 79:40.

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