BEND, OR -- Bend-LaPine Schools removed the messaging app, Seesaw, that had been compromised earlier in the week.

Skip Offenhauser, BLPS executive director of Elementary Programs and Instructional Technology, said they had to act quickly. “Very shortly after the news started coming in and we were trying to figure out what was going on; out of an abundance of caution the best thing to do was just remove the app from every device, not only students but teachers. (And) to advise our teachers not to use it and then wait to listen on how things transpired with Seesaw.”

Offenhauser says they are monitoring the situation, “So right now we’re in contact with Seesaw. We’re working with our rep to just better understand all the steps they have taken and considering maybe some different settings that we think might add another layer of protection if this ever were to happen again.”

A small number of parents’ user information was compromised but not students’ and Offehauser credits the technology staff. “What I’m proud of is just the response that we had. We have a wonderful team of IT professionals and engineers that that is their number one concern to make sure that we are safe from anyone that would do that to us,” said Offenhauser.

The school district is expecting to put the Seesaw App back on devices next week.