NORFOLK -- Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Stephen Jones responded to allegations that a principal encouraged teachers to break rules on standardized state tests.
Jones said he was "taken aback" when he read the findings of an independent review panel against Lafayette-Winona Middle School principal Cassandra Goodwyn.
"It's a personal issue for me because the values we've had in this school system for 150 years are now being questioned," Jones said at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
The confidential report, leaked to The Virginian-Pilot on Tuesday, also criticizes Cathy Lassiter, executive director of middle schools, who the report says ignored the concerns of a whistle-blower.
According to the newspaper, the report identifies the whistle-blower as a teacher at Lafayette-Winona who tried to expose Goodwyn's role in the testing irregularities.
The report says Goodwyn coerced teachers into fabricating students' work to win state accreditation and retaliated against teachers who resisted.
Reached at her home, WVEC.com asked Goodwyn if she had a response to the allegations.
"I don't, I'm sorry," Goodwyn responded, before asking for privacy.
Her status as principal has not changed yet, Jones said.
He says the school division has asked Goodwyn to review the allegations in the confidential report and respond.
Goodwyn's attorney, Reid Ervin, said teachers at Lafayette-Winona are making his client a scapegoat.
"Rather than take responsibility for their own actions, some people will point the finger at someone else," Ervin said.
Norfolk Public Schools and the state Department of Education are investigating SOL irregularities at seven schools.
This is the first time a principal has been singled out and accused of knowingly submitting altered SOL results to the state for school accreditation.
Lassiter's employment status also remains unchanged.
Jones said the report was leaked "illegally" to The Virginian-Pilot and said it will not be made available to the public -- at least not yet -- because it contains personnel information.
