Ted Beasley    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Director of Communications  Jefferson Parish Schools  501 Manhattan Blvd Harvey, LA 70058  O: 504-365-5321 C: 504-439-3651    JP SCHOOLS UNCOVERS RECORDS FRAUD AT HELEN COX HIGH  HARVEY, LA (July 22, 2019) — 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.   The district has 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.   “We are sorry that this happened to our families. Our system is only as strong as our  academic integrity, and we have little tolerance for these types of actions,” said JP  Schools Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “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.”  Jefferson Parish Schools officials have named Brandon Van Vleck the acting principal of  Helen Cox High. Van Vleck was an assistant principal at Helen Cox High.  “Our first priority is to our students and families,” said JP Schools Chief of Schools Dr.  James Gray. “The actions that took place at Helen Cox High do not speak for what we  stand for here in Jefferson Parish Schools. We’re building a culture where people feel  safe coming forward any time they see someone doing wrong by kids.”  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  About Jefferson Parish Schools:​ Jefferson Parish Schools is the largest and most diverse public school system in Louisiana  and the 98th largest in the nation. Our system of 82 schools serves around 50,000 students on both sides of the Mississippi  River. With approximately 7,000 employees, JP Schools is one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish. Our district exists to  provide the education our students deserve to succeed in life and make our world a better place. ​Click here to read our  strategic plan, ​2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve​.      Ted Beasley    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Director of Communications  Jefferson Parish Schools  501 Manhattan Blvd Harvey, LA 70058  O: 504-365-5321 C: 504-439-3651    students. Students who cannot provide documentation of excused absences will be  given the opportunity to make-up seat time to validate their diploma.  Helen Cox High is located at 2200 Lapalco Blvd. in Harvey. The enrollment at Helen Cox  High for 2018-19 was 1074. There were 276 students in the Helen Cox High Class of  2019.  ###  About Jefferson Parish Schools:​ Jefferson Parish Schools is the largest and most diverse public school system in Louisiana  and the 98th largest in the nation. Our system of 82 schools serves around 50,000 students on both sides of the Mississippi  River. With approximately 7,000 employees, JP Schools is one of the largest employers in Jefferson Parish. Our district exists to  provide the education our students deserve to succeed in life and make our world a better place. ​Click here to read our  strategic plan, ​2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve​.