In the 2020s, technology is the backbone of every U.S. school district. From digital gradebooks to attendance systems, from security cameras to student health records, almost every daily function depends on reliable digital infrastructure. But with that dependence comes a dangerous temptation: concentrating too much access and power in the hands of a single individual. In many districts, that level of unchecked access is often referred to, seemingly jokingly, as “God mode.” It is anything but funny.

When Oversight Fails: The Ashtabula Case

In 2022, a grand jury indicted John Henry Radwancky, former technology coordinator for Ashtabula Area City Schools in Ohio, on charges of extortion, unauthorized use of a computer, and attempted grand theft. According to prosecutors, Radwancky abused his role and access within the school’s systems, leveraging his insider position for personal gain. While details remain limited in public reporting, the indictment underscores the central risk: when one individual holds near-total control over critical systems without independent oversight, the opportunity for abuse or coercion grows exponentially.

The Ashtabula case is a cautionary tale not only about misconduct but also about governance. Districts that lack strong checks and balances effectively create conditions where IT staff can hold their institutions hostage, sometimes literally.

A Broader Pattern: Extortion in the Tech World

The risks of “god mode” access aren’t limited to K-12. In the Southern District of New York, a former employee of a technology company recently pleaded guilty to stealing confidential data and attempting to extort his employer. Granted, this wasn’t a school district, but the parallels are worth noting. Entrusted with privileged access, the employee turned that trust into leverage, holding sensitive data hostage in pursuit of personal benefit.

The lesson? The abuse of privileged access isn’t a theoretical possibility. It happens, across industries, across geographies, and across organizational types. Schools, which hold especially sensitive data on minors, are particularly vulnerable if they lack safeguards.

Why “God Mode” Is Too Dangerous

When one person has unregulated administrative control, several dangers arise:

1. Abuse of Power – With little oversight, an administrator could access sensitive information outside of their scope, suppress security logs, delete evidence, or install unauthorized monitoring tools.

2. Extortion Risk – As both Ashtabula and the SDNY case show, someone with full access can lock systems down, steal confidential data, or demand payment under threat of exposure.

3. Single Point of Failure – If that individual leaves, becomes incapacitated, or simply refuses to cooperate, entire systems can grind to a halt.

4. Erosion of Trust – Teachers, parents, and students lose faith in school leadership if they believe one person controls everything with no accountability or oversight.

The Path Forward

The solution isn’t distrust of technology staff, it’s structured oversight and distributed responsibility. Districts must:

• Implement role-based access controls to ensure no single individual holds unchecked privileges.

• Require dual authorization for sensitive system changes and dual oversight for sensitive access with explicit consent and documentation.

• Conduct independent audits of IT operations and logs.

• Train school boards and superintendents to ask the right questions, even if they aren’t technical experts themselves.

Final Word

The idea of “God mode” may appeal to efficiency or trust in a lone expert, but as recent cases prove, it can quickly become a district’s greatest liability. Oversight, transparency, and shared responsibility are not luxuries, they are essential protections for students, staff, and the community.

Author Valerie Leuchtmann September 21, 2025

Sources:

Briggs, Stephen. “Ashtabula Schools’ Former IT Coordinator Charged with Extortion.” Government Technology, 17 Mar. 2022. 

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. “Former Employee of Technology Company Pleads Guilty to Stealing Confidential Data and Extorting His Employer.” U.S. Department of Justice, 1 Mar. 2021.