BEND, Ore. — Student hackers inserted “inappropriate material” into the yearbook at a Bend middle school, and the school has confiscated most of the copies, about 750.
Officials learned of the last-minute hacking of a design file three weeks ago, but the yearbook was already at the printer’s.
They tried having stickers put over the material. But when students at Cascade Middle School got their books this week, it was quickly discovered the stickers could be peeled off and adults hadn’t identified all the objectionable material. School officials didn’t characterize the material.
Principal Stephanie Bennett told the Bulletin there’s hope for reprinting the book, if the $10,000 can be raised.
She sent an email to parents Thursday saying students had been asked to return the yearbooks. All but about 20 copies were.
“We’re so proud of the students because they knew it was the right thing to do to get the yearbooks out of circulation,” school district spokeswoman Julianne Repman said.
Sixth-grader Nick Brees told KTVZ-TV: “I’m kind of mad because it’s just two to three kids who kind of ruined it for 800, so nobody got their yearbook.”
An investigation is under way. Bennett said some hackers have been identified.
“We hope to be able to reorder this year’s yearbook — but the cost may be prohibitive,” Bennett told parents. “We have some hope that those responsible for this prank will pay restitution to cover the costs of reproduction.”
Parents who want them can get refunds, she said, and if the book is reprinted, it will be available next school year.
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