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MLK Charter School of Excellence receives state cybersecurity grant

by | Jul 2, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — A Springfield charter school recently received a helping hand in the everlasting battle against cybercriminals and bad actors. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence received a $35,000 state grant to replace its cybersecurity hardware.

The grant was provided through the state’s new Community Compact Cabinet Cybersecurity Remediation Grant Program from the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The state Executive Office of Technology Services and Security administered the grants in partnership with the Community Compact Cabinet.

The goal of the program is to target cybersecurity vulnerabilities and strengthen protections against malicious software and hackers. A total of $1 million in funds was awarded to 20 municipalities and school systems, but Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence was the only standalone charter school among them.

According to the federal Department of Education, school districts nationwide experience an average of five cybersecurity attacks per week. Most attacks take the form of data breaches, which are often achieved through phishing emails, or ransomware attacks, which take advantage of outdated software. While the financial cost of a cyber-attack is high — legal and insurance expenses, credit monitoring for impacted individuals, and teaching and learning loss — the loss of trust among teachers, families and students may also have an impact.

“Technology plays a critical role in how schools educate students, communicate with families and deliver essential services every day,” said State Sen .Adam Gómez, who represents the Hampden District, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence. “As cyber threats continue to evolve, it is critical that our schools have the tools and infrastructure needed to protect sensitive information and maintain safe, reliable operations.”
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Gómez said, “This investment in the Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence will help strengthen cybersecurity protections, support educators and staff and ensure students can continue learning without disruption.”

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com |  + posts