Admin targets cybersecurity gaps following state-mandated assessment

by Judy Stringer

Sept. 14 school board meeting

Hudson City Schools is tightening its cyber threat defenses after a months-long assessment found the district performs well in detecting and protecting against attacks but falls short in cybersecurity governance, formal policies and broader risk identification across the district.

Technology Director Ryan Morton said the review was prompted by Ohio’s House Bill 96, which requires all government entities, including school districts, to adopt a formal cybersecurity program aligned with frameworks such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. Morton told the board that his team worked with IT consortium NEOnet and consulting firm Filament Essential Services to test the district’s systems and policies.

The external assessment gave Hudson an overall score of about 67%, based on how well the district met more than 100 cybersecurity controls tied to national standards. Consultants found 39 controls fully in place and 46 partially met. Despite the mid-range score, Filament’s analyst praised Hudson’s efforts, Morton noted, saying that the district “has established foundational cybersecurity governance practices and demonstrates a commitment to managing cybersecurity risk across the organization.”

“The cybersecurity framework assessment results, along with the NIST framework, will be used to internally develop and continuously monitor and enhance our cybersecurity plan moving forward,” Morton said.

Superintendent, treasurer compensation

The board approved a 3.9% pay raise for Superintendent Dana Addis and Treasurer Phillip Butto for the 2026-2027 school year, effective Aug. 1. Board President Laura Jones noted that while “3.9% seems high,” it aligns with raises recently approved for other administrators, non-represented staff and union members following successful negotiations. She credited cost savings from recent changes to district insurance for helping make the increases possible.

Last fall, the board approved three-year contracts with each administrator, with Addis’ salary base set at $175,685 annually and Butto’s at $142,104.