ATLANTA,None — Channel 2 has learned that an Atlanta high school principal who was given a 10-day suspension in January for cheating hasn't served a day of it yet.
Since a state investigation earlier this year revealed widespread standardized test cheating at Atlanta Public Schools, there has been much talk about tough discipline for accused elementary and middle school teachers. Dr. Darian Jones was accused of changing grades, and former APS superintendent Beverly Hall ordered a 10-day suspension, but Jones hasn't missed a day or a paycheck.
Jones, principal of Carver Health High School, came under fire by a teacher who he wanted to dismiss. At a hearing, the teacher's lawyer argued unsuccessfully that the principal's own documented cheating should be a put into evidence.
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“I mean he changed two grades of two girls who didn't come to class, and had he not changed those plus a few others, he would not have made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress),” attorney John Jones said.
An internal investigation by the school system concluded that Jones graduated all seniors who had passed the Georgia graduation tests regardless of whether they had fulfilled their academic requirements. The report also said teachers were adamant that the students deserved the failing grades.
Though Hall ordered Jones' suspension in January, nine months have passed with no correspondence in APS' files scheduling Jones' suspension or loss of pay. Channel 2's Richard Belcher checked his school Tuesday, and Jones' car was parked in his normal spot.
When Belcher confronted school officials about the issue, they said Jones is planning to take one week of suspension in November and another week in January, but nothing is in writing.