NPS testing accusations addressed

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Allegations of lying, cheating and coercion are swirling around a Norfolk principal. Now, Norfolk city council members are calling for a city-wide investigation into testing irregularities in the city's public school system.

Norfolk Schools Superintendent Dr. Stephen Jones held a news conference Tuesday to address the latest allegations.

Dr. Jones faced reporters to answer questions about the outcome of an investigation into mandatory testing problems.

Jones appointed a three-person panel after a state probe uncovered testing violations at Lafayette-Winona Middle School.

The panel reportedly wrote that staff at Lafayette-Winona gave some special education students the answers to questions so they would pass the state-mandated tests.  "Overhead projectors were used to provide these students with answers to copy onto worksheets that were placed in the students' VGLA binders," wrote the panel in its Executive Summary of the investigation.

There are also allegations that the school's principal, Cassandra Goodwyn, coerced teachers into helping their students cheat in order to get the school accreditation.  The panel also reportedly found Goodwyn unfairly fired a teacher who blew the whistle on the cheating.

Referring to the panel's report, Dr. Jones said Tuesday, "Those individuals and their actions are being addressed in an appropriate fashion. Everyone deserves an opportunity to say what happened. The charges leveled against some of the staff are of grave concern, indeed and we know we need to get to the bottom of the allegations."

Dr. Jones also said it was "regrettable" that the panel's confidential report and investigation was leaked to the media. He said that could result in a trial by the media before the board has time to handle the situation.

He said the values put in place in the Norfolk school system for 150 years are now being questioned.  "We will never engage in any kind of behavior that could be viewed as unethical or illegal."

He said that Lafayette-Winona Middle School's principal has been asked to respond to the allegations.

Cassandra Goodwyn's attorney, Reid Ervin, surprised the Superintendent and the school board by attending Tuesday's news conference and grilling them on their handling of the situation and why they have refused to let Goodwyn read the report's allegations against her.    "Ms. Goodwyn has never been allowed an opportunity to look at the report much less take it home and read it," said Ervin.

When Reid pressed the Superintendent on the issue, Dr. Jones promised the principal would get a copy of the report but did not say when.

Ervin said Ms. Goodwyn "was shocked about the allegations.  She has always maintained that she never pressured anyone to cheat or falsify special ed records." 

Ervin claims the principal is being made a scapegoat.   "People violated rules and didn't follow policy and as a result their jobs were placed in jeopardy and rather than take responsibility for their own actions, some will point the finger at someone else," said Ervin.

The superintendent said the school board is still refusing to release the report to the public, saying it contains confidential information about employee matters.

Dr. Jones also said he and the school board will not hesitate to take necessary action against anyone found at fault.