Dear Helen Cox High Family,
This letter is to inform you of actions that have taken place at your school recently.
Jefferson Parish Schools officials have uncovered records fraud at Helen Cox High that
impacted five members of the graduating Class of 2019. The school’s principal and three
administrators have been placed on administrative leave. We have named assistant principal
Brandon Van Vleck the acting principal of Helen Cox High.
We have been in contact with all impacted families and students. Since our discovery, all five
students have successfully completed a proficiency exam in the coursework, giving the district
the confidence to certify their diplomas. A certified teacher administered the proficiency exams
to the students.
JP Schools officials have self-reported this information to the Louisiana Department of
Education and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association. The district is also working to
establish additional safeguards to ensure students are on track to graduate. Grade change
reports and student records audits will be conducted across the district starting in 2019-20.
During the internal investigation, the district also discovered that excused absences had not
been submitted for 24 students. Those students had successfully completed all coursework and
state assessments. The district contacted those families to secure documentation for any
excused absences. Documentation has been secured for 22 students. Students who cannot
provide documentation of excused absences will be given the opportunity to make-up seat time
to validate their diploma.
We are sorry that this happened to our families and at your school. Our system is only as strong
as our academic integrity, and we have little tolerance for these types of actions. Improving
student outcomes is our top priority, and that can only be accomplished in an environment of
trust, honesty, and respect among our students, families, and educators.
You will likely see this story reported by the local media. Should you receive any media
requests, please direct them to our Director of Communications, Ted Beasley, at
theodore.beasley@jppss.k12.la.us​. We will also post information about it on our website. I value
the work you do for our kids and felt it was important to reach out to you with the facts of this
internal investigation.