ATLANTA,None — An exclusive InsiderAdvantage/WSB-TV poll found a majority of Atlanta voters want those involved in a school cheating scandal to be held accountable, and even prosecuted.
InsiderAdvantage CEO Matt Towery told Channel 2 political reporter Lori Geary he is shocked at the poll that questioned 402 registered Atlanta voters.
LINK: Southern Politcal Report by Insider Advantage
"They want real action. They don't want just a slap on the hand," Towery said.
Voters were asked, If former Superintendent Beverly Hall had knowledge of widespread cheating, what should happen to her? Seventy-two percent said they would like to see Hall prosecuted, and 11 percent did not want legal action. InsiderAdvantage Poll "If former Superintendent Beverly Hall had knowledge of widespread cheating, what should happen to her?" Prosecuted: 72% Not prosecuted: 11% No opinion: 17% Margin of error: +/- 5 "That goes across all demographics, including whites and blacks. The majority want to see her prosecuted," said Towery. "It also tells you when they have a name and face that they can identify with in this scandal, the numbers go way up."
Atlanta voters appeared to be a bit more lenient toward teachers and principals implicated in the cheating scandal.
Forty-three percent said educators who knowingly engaged in cheating should be prosecuted and fired, while nearly the same number said those involved should be fired or reprimanded. Six percent had no opinion.
InsiderAdvantage Poll "If these allegations are true, what should happen to educators who knowingly engaged in cheating?" Should be prosecuted and fired: 43% Should be fired or reprimanded: 44% No opinion: 6% Margin of error: +/- 5
"The largest number of respondents in this poll wants prosecution, and that tells you they don't even know what the grounds are right now for prosecution, but they want it anyway," Towery said.
The poll also showed that voters are very tuned in to the scandal, with 88 percent saying they are aware of the investigation.
"They want real retribution. They don't want this to be just a story in the newspaper. They want this to be firings, reprimands and prosecutions," Towery added.
Towery said the numbers show voters associate Hall with the scandal, even though she has denied knowing anything about cheating.