State Unable to Prove PHS Attendance Wrongdoing

Some Princeton High School graduates exceeded the district’s maximum number of allowable absences and the district kept poor records of absence waivers, but ultimately a months-long state investigation could not substantiate an anonymous report that students had earned diplomas in violation of district policy.  

In its report, the New Jersey Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance noted many graduates had more than 18 absences, more than normally allowed in order for a student to earn credit in a course. The high school also did not provide evidence to substantiate that all of the attendance waivers had been granted to students.

“In the absence of documentary evidence, the OFAC cannot conclusively determine whether all 2009- through 2012 PHS graduates met the local attendance requirements, as mandated by NJAC 6A:8-5.1(a)3,” the seven-page report read in part. “The failure to maintain records of attendance waivers is inconsistent with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:36-19 and N.J.A.C.6A:32-7.8(e).”

The investigation was ongoing about six months. Investigators say the investigation was launched as a result of an anonymous complaint- the investigators also said that incomplete records provided upon in-person visits prompted further investigation.

The report was released on Monday. It can be found by clicking here.

Princeton Public Schools released a statement on its website, saying officials are unsurprised and gratified by the findings.

“The fact is that the OFAC reviewed the records of approximately 1350 students who graduated over a four-year period. They found less than perfect documentation of attendance appeals for graduation purposes for 12 students, all in 2009 when we made a major conversion to a new software system for our attendance,” the statement read in part. “We are completely confident that, notwithstanding the lack of perfect documentation, the procedures in those limited cases were appropriate and fair, and that the correct decision was made in each individual case, based on a consideration of all the circumstances and in a manner consistent with our policies.”

But the district also took exception to what it calls “omissions, misleading language and incomplete account in the report.”

“Most of all, it must be clearly and firmly stated that never once were any student records altered in any way,” the district's statement read in part.

Based on OFAC’s recommendation, Princeton Public Schools will design and implement a standardized form to be used in all cases of attendance appeals. That process will begin this spring.  

“We begin the appeals process next month for 2012-13,” Wilson said on Tuesday. “We will use a standardized form and then will store all documentation in one place for the 100 year archival requirement.”