Charges Dropped Against John Dewey H.S. Principal In Grade-Fixing Scandal
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An arbitrator has dismissed all charges against a Brooklyn high school principal who was terminated for her alleged involvement in a long-term grade fixing scandal.
As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, some say she got off on a technicality.
John Dewey High School principal Kathleen Elvin was terminated last year after the Department of Education Office of Special Investigation said it had substantiated that Elvin's credit recovery program did not meet Department of Education standards.
The program, known by students as "Easy Pass" or "E-Z Pass," allowed students to watch movies, eat lunch and sometimes just show up for class in order to get passing marks, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported last year. The program was allegedly designed to help boost graduation rates.
Investigators found the program was in place at the Gravesend school for more than two years.
Elvin said her reputation was ruined by the allegations, but an arbitrator has cleared her of the misconduct charges.
"I think that I am living evidence of what character assassination is; misrepresentations, half truths, misinformation repeated over and over and over again," she said.
According to a statement released Wednesday by an arbitrator involved in reviewing the case, the charges against Elvin do not hold up because "they are wholly inconsistent" with claims made by the Department of Education.
"..Upon an audited internal review, all make-up or repeat courses were cancelled and no additional course work was required. Credits earned were deemed sufficient and appropriate to allow students to graduate in June 2014 and June 2015," the arbitrator said in his report.
Department of Education spokesperson Devora Kaye said the institution was 'disappointed' with the ruling.
"We are disappointed with this decision, and we are continuing to review our options," Kaye said.
Some teachers have also said that she got off on a technicality. Wade Goria taught at Dewey for nearly 20 years and called the ruling a whitewash to protect a corrupt system intended to raise graduation rates.
Goria said the improvements came from one thing.
"Were all the result of grade fixing," he said.
There was no comment Wednesday from Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina who avoided questions about the scandal last year. The DOE did release a statement.
"We vigorously sought the termination of Ms. Elvin's employment, and an independent arbitrator dismissed the charges. We are disappointed with this decision, and we are continuing to review our options."
Despite the ruling students said they don't want their old principal or the 'easy pass' program back.
"That's not fair to give them credit and graduate. That's not fair," Natalia Ozoemena said, "You're going to college and you're going to be dumb."
A former teacher said the kids are the ones getting cheated.
"They did not get the education which they deserve," he said.
He said similar credit recovery programs are still going on.
Elvin is expected to speak at a CSA press conference to discuss the ruling Wednesday. It doesn't look like she'll be returning to Dewey.
