Data from PowerSchool, North Carolina’s school software system that contains personal information regarding teachers and students, was compromised last month, according to a PowerSchool spokesperson.

PowerSchool said it became aware of a potential cybersecurity problem when unauthorized access was made on Dec. 28.

While it isn’t clear what data may have become available during this access, a PowerSchool spokesperson said, “We have taken all appropriate steps to prevent the data involved from further unauthorized access or misuse. The incident is contained and we do not anticipate the data being shared or made public.”

PowerSchool is the official data-storing student information system used by the public and charter schools across North Carolina, according to the Department of Public Instruction. The software manages information for more than 1.5 million students and almost 100,000 teachers in North Carolina, according to the state. PowerSchool can track student attendance records, transcripts and contact information.

DPI has not responded to Spectrum News 1's request for comment. 

“We take our responsibility to protect student data privacy and act responsibly as data processors extremely seriously. Our priority is to support our customers through this incident and to continue our unrelenting focus on data security,” a PowerSchool spokesperson said in response to the incident.

In November 2023, the North Carolina State Board of Education voted to replace PowerSchool with an alternate software, Infinite Campus. PowerSchool will continue to be in effect until the statewide transition on Jul. 1, 2025.

Since 2005, school districts, colleges and universities have experienced data breaches that affect over 37 million records.