Today was the day that the Ohio Auditor’s Office released its special audit of Columbus City Schools. It’s been eighteen months since the investigation was launched. Auditor Dave Yost presented the report with a Powerpoint presentation this morning. Here are some of the more interesting phrases he used:
1. “Bunker Culture”
That’s the phrase the auditor used to describe the administrative culture at Columbus City Schools. That is to say, a very closed, very defensive culture was observed.
2. “It’s simple, they were making it up.”
Yost said these words during the press conference, in reference to justifications for grade changes. In particular, over eighty percent of the investigated grades that went from failing to passing, occurred for no documented reason.
3. “D ’em up.”
This was quoted from an assistant principal, encouraging the practice of changing failing grades to passing.
4. “World class record-keeping failure”
Yost’s words used to describe the district’s protocol (or lack thereof) for keeping records and transcripts.
5. “We found explanations for some but not all zombie students.”
“Zombie students” would be a reference to twelfth graders whose enrollment and attendance records do not match.
6. “There are crimes where you can never be made whole again.”
This phrase introduced a discussion about how to recover from several different sorts of offenses and betrayals one might experience in the world, generally. It sounds like “broken trust” might be an example of the sort of offense that is not mendable.
7. “Adults cheated.”
That would be a summary of the audit findings.
To view the full audit, CLICK HERE.
To read more updates on Columbus City School Issues, CLICK HERE.
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Photo via ohioauditor.gov.