School board declares emergency after cyberattack, authorizes bypass of bids for telecom services

The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board on March 16 adopted a Public Emergency Declaration after district networks were damaged in a cyberattack, a move that allows administrators to bypass standard public-bid procedures for telecommunications services.

Superintendent Rebecca Johnson certified in the declaration that "A STATE OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY" exists because "there was a cyber-attack on the entire St. John the Baptist Parish School District, causing an extensive amount of damage to district network equipment," and the board voted to adopt the declaration retroactive to March 10, 2023. The motion to amend the agenda to add the emergency item and the motion to adopt the declaration both passed unanimously.

Board members said the authority will let administrators move more quickly to hire technical contractors and procure equipment needed to minimize disruption to school operations. Board President Shawn Wallace and Superintendent Johnson both signed the declaration included in the meeting record.

The declaration cites LSA-R.S. 38:2236 et seq. as the statutory basis for bypassing public-bid requirements in an emergency. The board did not specify, at the March 16 meeting, which vendors or firms would be considered, nor did it provide a projected cost for emergency procurements; those details are expected to be developed by administration under the emergency authority.

The board scheduled follow-up administrative actions and said staff would report back on remediation steps and contracts procured under the declaration. The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.