Bogus Alexandria Robo Call Creates Confusion

The Alexandria City Public School automated alert phone system was "hacked" into on Thursday morning, creating confusion when official word on early dismissals came down.

A bogus automated phone call stating that schools would close two hours early because of the inclement weather mysteriously was sent to contact phone numbers of school students before an official decision was made.

"It did go out to parents of a few schools, food services and some construction workers. … It may have gone to all the schools," said Sandy Hudnall, the executive assistant to the superintendent. "No idea who this hacker was."

"As far as we know, we don't know how that went out," said Mary Jane Solomon, an administrative assistant with the school system.

Hudnall said it's official policy for school personnel to identify themselves when recording a robo call. The phantom messenger did not identify themselves in the first call that went out.

In response to the bogus call, Hudnall said she sent an e-mail to all principals reminding them that there will always be an identification at the beginning of each call.

When word finally came down that schools would be closing early, Hudnall added this disclaimer to the official call: "Please disregard any previous unauthorized phone call you may have received."

Due to the inclement weather, all Alexandria elementary schools were dismissed at 1 p.m. on Thursday and the secondary schools were let out at 2 p.m. All after-school activities were canceled, including choral concerts at and .

Initially, officials tried to keep the evening's school board meeting scheduled. Ultimately, however, the snow prompted them to push it back to a later date.