Principal Pleads Grade-Tampering Case to Superintendent

Kermit Carolina is accused of fixing grades and ignoring attendance policies for student-athletes.

The Hillhouse High School principal, accused of changing students' grades, met with New Haven's Superintendent of Schools Friday.

"I think we presented some very strong evidence in my defense and I'm hoping that things work out in our favor," said principal Kermit Carolina after the nearly two hour meeting that took place behind closed doors at Superintendent Dr. Reginald Mayo's office. 

An investigation released last month found Carolina and other staff changed grades and violated attendance policies for student-athletes. The report said two students had grades changed in four classes, and one of them missed 45 days of school without penalty when only 20 days are allowed. There are also allegations that Carolina changed the description of a class.
 
"They’re claiming that my client changed a basic level course to a college level course. We have information in our possession that we will show Dr. Mayo and his staff that says otherwise," said Michael Jefferson, Carolina's attorney.
 
According to Jefferson, all courses that are high school courses, are college level courses.  Since all the courses are valued the same, Jefferson feels feel Carolina did nothing wrong.
 
"I think the information we have as my attorney laid out will clearly show my innocence and show the innocence of my school. I’m here today to claim the innocence of my teachers, my hardworking teachers, my hardworking students, as well as myself," said Carolina.
 
"Today I met with Principal Carolina to go over the report and hear what he had to say about our findings of grade and credit tampering at Hillhouse High School," Mayo said in a statement. "Kermit Carolina is being given his due process on this matter and I will consider all the facts when deciding on appropriate action to take."

Carolina says he's hoping to put the controversy to rest.

"I felt good about that meeting today and I felt as if we were heard," said Carolina.

A decision on whether he'll face disciplinary action could come within days, he said.

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