WHITEHALL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT PO Box 29, 87 Buckley Road, Whitehall, New York 12887-3633 Whitehall of the U. 5. Navy John Godfrey Patrick M. Dee Judy Gould Jr-Sr High School interim Principal . Elementary School Principal 518499_1770 Superintendent of Schools 518 499_0330 igodfrengrailroadersnet 518 499'1772 igoulerailroadersnet pdee@raiiroaders.net Brianne K. Hazelton Kate DuBois Coordinator of Special Education School Business Manager 518 499-1771 518 499-0346 bhazeltonQrailroaders.net WM Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members, March 3, 2020 I am writing to provide an update to my letter of January 27 when I told you that i had placed Mr. Jeff Keller, 7-12 Principal on administrative leave. Now that the investigation is complete, I am permitted to share details of the investigation and what had occurred. During the week of January 21, my staff advised me of a testing concern and possible testing and data irregularities. i immediately brought the matter to the attention of the District Superintendent of the WSWHE BOCES and the New York State Education Department. Upon further review and discussion with the State Education Department, Mr. Anthony Muller, WSWHE Deputy District Superintendent and Regional Test integrity Of?cer, was assigned to investigate the allegations. Based upon Mr. Muller?s investigation, we contacted the State Police who subsequently opened an investigation. During the past six weeks we have been fully cooperative with the investigation. We swiftly acted upon the information and informed the proper authorities. wholeheartedly commend our teaching staff for responding in a professional, responsible and timely manner. On March 2nd, investigators charged Mr. Keller with of?cial misconduct for changing student answers on Regents exams, changing students? grades in the student management system, changing attendance records in the student management system, and changing students? course credits in the student management system. The investigation indicated that Mr. Keller acted alone. The behavior of a single individual is in no way a reflection on the hard work and dedication of our highly committed staff who continue to strive to make improvements for our students each and every day. As a district we will not allow what appears to be, one individual's rogue actions to affect our students? academic achievements and future opportunities. We have taken the following steps to mitigate this situation: a Our guidance counselors have been working to correct student records to ensure that the actual impact is minimal; 0 The district is taking action to correct the unauthorized changes that were made in the student management system; The impacted Regents exams have been hand scored; The district has put in place a multi-step process for changing information in the student management system; 0 Regents exams will now require two individuals to deliver and pick-up testing and deliver it to the vault; this is a change to the district?s existing Regents testing protocol. I would also like to share that on February 24, the Board of Education approved the appointment of Mr. John Godfrey as Interim Jr./Sr. High Principal for the remainder of the school year. We will begin the process of posting, interviewing and hiring a new principal to begin on or about July 1, 2020. i am proud of the progress that our district has made as well as the substantial academic opportunities that our students have been provided with over the past 4 years. The hard work, dedication to teaching and commitment to student learning of our entire staff should not be overshadowed by this single unacceptable incident. Please be assured that as a staff, we are committed to successful outcomes for our students. Should you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (518) 499-1772. Since PatricK Dee Superintendent of Schools