Attendance probe of Columbus schools intensifies - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Attendance probe of Columbus schools intensifies

Posted: Updated:

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A central Ohio school district that's been at the center of a statewide attendance-tampering probe says federal authorities have gotten involved.

The Columbus City Schools confirmed Tuesday that federal entities are investigating the district and it intends to fully cooperate. Ohio Auditor Dave Yost is also reviewing the district.

Authorities are trying to determine whether employees improperly manipulated enrollment and attendance records of poor-performing students to improve performance rankings.

Yost's top lawyer sent a letter to the district Thursday indicating Columbus will be separated from other schools being investigated as part of a statewide review. William Owen attributed the decision to "the strong likelihood" that individuals in the Columbus case would be referred for criminal prosecution.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said Tuesday he had not seen any referrals.

  • Regional

  • Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
    LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
    A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
    DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
    A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
    CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
    Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.
  • Top Stories

  • Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
    Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
    Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
    LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
    A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:11:00 GMT
    DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Witnesses in southwestern Virginia say a car has driven into a crowd at a festival parade. Several people appeared to be hurt, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately
    An elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Saturday parade in a small Virginia mountain town.

Area Events Calendar

See It, Shoot It, Send It!