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Directors Update

PROMINENT TOPICS

The CNYRIC has provided awareness information that districts can utilize for staff training centered on an emerging threat: A new phishing technique called "spam bombing." Attackers overwhelm inboxes with junk emails to mask a direct contact pretending to be IT support. They convince the target to grant remote access to "fix" the issue, while installing malicious software that allows control of the user’s device at a later time. It is vital to educate stakeholders to verify all access requests. The CNYRIC has provided training materials on this emerging threat for districts to use. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act District-Level Determinations annual notification came out on April 24, 2025, provided by Chris Suriano, Associate Commissioner of the Office of Special Education. This week, the office will be ready to hear any questions that they receive from the field. If you need assistance, please contact Bob Reale, Systems Consultant, at (315) 433-2261.

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE DISTRICTS’ DATA ECOSYSTEMS IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE PRIORITIES

Updates to the CNYRIC Standardized Daily Attendance - MP Tallies Report in SchoolTool

To assist schools in effectively monitoring student daily attendance, the CNYRIC Educational Data Services Department has updated the Standardized Daily Attendance - MP Tallies Report in SchoolTool based upon feedback from districts. This reformatted report now includes attendance for alternately-enrolled students, and also identifies those students absent on the current day. The Excel export of this analysis report has also been enhanced; it now includes a worksheet with student attendance data and adult family contact information. Addresses provide additional fields and data in a user-friendly format for generating attendance letters via a mail merge. Please contact your district's primary SchoolTool consultant for additional information.

PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, ASSISTANCE, AND RESOURCES TO ENHANCE DISTRICTS’ SECURITY POSTURE IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND STATE PRIORITIES

Education Law § 2-d requires educational agencies to develop a Parents’ Bill of Rights (PBOR) for Data Privacy and Security and publish it on the agency’s website. This month, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) shared a revised version of the PBOR. Districts do not need to make changes to their local PBOR, but are encouraged to confirm that their PBOR is available on their website. Additionally, the PBOR should be easy-to-understand, and include all elements required by NYSED.

IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL PROVIDE SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN DISCUSSING TECHNOLOGY WITH YOUR DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY.

May’s focus will be on asset management:

Q: What is our current process for tracking technology assets from acquisition to disposal, and how effective is it in providing us with an accurate, real-time inventory?

Q: How are we ensuring accountability for assigned technology assets, and what measures are in place to minimize loss, damage, or unreturned equipment?

Q: What are the biggest challenges we face in maintaining accurate asset tracking, and what resources or changes are needed to improve our process and the integrity of our inventory data?

Q: What is our protocol when a technology asset (like a student laptop or staff device) is lost or stolen? Can we manage or wipe an asset if it is lost or stolen?

Q: What is our secure and environmentally-responsible process for disposing of retired or broken technology assets? How is the disposal process tracked to ensure data security and compliance?