ENGLEWOOD – The principal and assistant principal of Dwight Morrow High School were among 10 high-level Englewood school district employees suspended Thursday after an audit of grades and college credits turned up thousands of irregularities, according to NorthJersey.com.
An independent consultant hired by the district found more than 3,000 problems with the way grades and graduation credits were calculated over the past year, according to the report.
Among those suspended with pay at a Thursday night board meeting were Dwight Morrow High School Principal Peter Elbert, Assistant Principal Joseph Armental, Director of Guidance Noel Gordon, Eagle Alternative School Program Principal Joseph Bell, and several high school guidance counselors.
Last year, Englewood’s schools Superintendent Robert Kravitz said he became aware of transcript irregularities when records were moved from one report card system to a newer one.
Some students and parents had complained their grades were different than expected after the district switched systems.
An internal audit by an outside company found a number of problems, Kravitz said.
“It has been discovered that there has been a widespread failure to properly account for student graduation requirements and grades that is contrary to board policy and education statute and code, which is independent of the migration to the new system,” Kravitz stated in a letter to parents this week.
The New Jersey Department of Education was notified of the issue and has commissioned a review of the district’s grading and credit practices, Kravitz said.
The state recommended the suspensions during an investigation, according to Kravitz.
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The suspended staffers will be temporary be replaced by others in the district, Kravitz said.
NorthJersey.com reported several students voiced concern at the meeting about how the suspensions will affect them as they apply to colleges for the coming year.
Kravitz said counselors will be available next week to review student’s grades, credits and transcripts.
“Students will be given many opportunities to develop action plans to graduate on time,” Kravitz said.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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