District Releases Public Statement on Grade-Tampering Allegations
On the heels of Chardon High School Principal Doug Murray abruptly resigning after an internal investigation showed he altered student academic records, Chardon Schools Board of Education released an official statement Feb. 15 updating the community on the matter.
On the heels of Chardon High School Principal Doug Murray abruptly resigning after an internal investigation showed he altered student academic records, Chardon Schools Board of Education released an official statement Feb. 15 updating the community on the matter.
The district investigated allegations that Murray made unauthorized changes to two grades involving two students, the district said in its statement.
“The investigation determined that the allegations are likely true, which led to Mr. Murray’s resignation on Feb. 9. The district filed a report, as required by law, with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office of Professional Conduct. At this time, there is no evidence of additional grade changes beyond the two documented incidents and the district is cooperating with local authorities in their investigation,” the district said, adding Chardon Schools prides itself on promoting open lines of communication with the community.
In an online message to the Hilltopper community, Chardon Schools Superintendent Michael Hanlon said after the announcement of Murray’s resignation Feb. 12, media reports stated the resignation was related to the investigation into changing grades for two students, but the district could not initially comment due to privacy laws.
“We understand the emotional response of some that we should have been more transparent in the original communication. However, we were legally bound by multiple state and federal statutes from doing so,” Hanlon said.
Most notably, he said, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents all schools from disclosing information from student education records without the parents’ consent.
The district was legally restricted as to what could be told to the public, he said.
“Although the media and general public have the right, at any time, to request public records with redacted information regarding investigations, our district must remain committed to protecting student identities and can’t be the source that compromises student confidentiality,” he said. “All students deserve the same level of protection. We are committed to meeting that standard.”
The district said the affected students’ grades are being reviewed to ensure they reflect the students’ actual performance, and the district is implementing a software monitoring system that alerts school district personnel of any data changes to help prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.
“We take seriously any action that compromises the integrity of student grades and will continue to research opportunities to further strengthen our data systems,” the district said in their statement.
Murray, who did not respond to a request for comment Feb. 12, has one daughter who is a junior at CHS and another who graduated in 2023 and served as student council president.
Sources close to the investigation said the two students’ grades in question belonged to Murray’s daughters.
Hanlon said Feb. 12 the district is working to cover Murray’s role internally with support from current administrators. The search for a permanent replacement will be a long-term project.
This is the second investigation into grade-tampering in a Geauga County school district in recent years.
In 2021, Cardinal Schools head football coach and school aide George Gresko, 28, of Mentor, was investigated for grade tampering and was later terminated from his position with the district and charged with two felony counts. A plea agreement resulted in Gresko pleading guilty to an amended first-degree misdemeanor tampering with records, according to court records.
