‘Cyber disturbance’ takes down phones, Internet for CC schools

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     A “cyber disturbance” has taken down phone and Internet service for the Columbus County school system, isolating campuses across the county, a North Carolina Department of Public Instruction news release said.

     School leaders discovered the problem Wednesday morning. A “potent virus has rendered the district’s network unusable at all school locations,” the news release said.

     Restoring the system is “going to take some time,” school district spokesman Kelly Jones said Friday. Just how long was not clear Friday.

     “District staff are working diligently to repair the damage and are receiving outside support and assistance to expedite rebuilding and securing the network,” the news release said. “While we do not have an exact timeline on the completion of this important task, individuals are working diligently for quick resolution.”

     While school phones are offline, calls to each school are being reroutes to cell phones. School officials asked “that calls not be made unless necessary.”

     School staff members are maintaining communications through a mass messaging system and cell phones.

     Teaching has continued without interruption, the news release said. Teachers “continued to do outstanding work,” it said.

     “While technology enhances our work, effective teaching involves the personal interaction between student and teacher.”

     Look for updates here as events warrant, and in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.