Grade fixing alleged at DeWitt Clinton

The Department of Education (DOE) is investigating DeWitt Clinton High School Principal Santiago Taveras for allegedly changing students’ grades so that they would pass certain classes.

A spokeswoman for the DOE’s Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) confirmed the office is investigating Mr. Taveras, but would not give any more details, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

When reached by phone, Mr. Taveras declined to answer questions about the allegations.

At an unrelated press conference last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke about the investigation.

“My Department of Education initiated that investigation and that investigation will proceed promptly and if we find any wrongdoing, there will be very serious consequences for the individual involved,” the mayor said.

In a statement, DOE spokeswoman Devora Kaye said the department has hired new staff across the city to help provide ongoing guidance, support and oversight.

“When DOE staff identified possible improprieties at this school, we swiftly followed protocol of the Academic Integrity Task Force and reported it to SCI to be investigated,” she said.

On Dec. 3, many students had not heard about the investigation, but stuck up for their principal.

“He gives us high fives on the way into school,” said sophomore Terina Ornsvuy. “I hope he sticks around.”

“If it’s true, it looks bad on us. Most of it is alleged though,” said Alex D., a freshman who did not want to give his last name. “The school is good. The scandal just makes us look bad, but the school is turning around.”

Reached by email, Rob Golemba, Clinton’s United Teachers Federation chapter leader, said he did not feel comfortable speaking about an ongoing investigation.

“All I can say is that I hope these allegations [do] not ruin the reputation of our historic school,” he said.

DeWitt Clinton has seen ongoing struggles in recent years. In 2012, the DOE warned the school it was in danger of closing. Mr. Taveras took over as principal in 2014 with the express purpose of turning around the school. Clinton is also one of 94 sites in the School Renewal Program, which gives more resources and central support to struggling institutions. But in 2015, the school posted a 46 percent graduation rate — far below averages for the Bronx and the rest of the city.

Still, Mr. Taveras expressed optimism. In its last Quality Snapshot, which replaced the DOE’s Progress Reports in 2013, evaluators found DeWitt Clinton to be mostly “approaching target” in categories like student achievement and supportive environment.

“Things are moving right along,” Mr. Taveras said. “We’re expecting to see in late January, early February how many students have signed up for the school and we’ll see where we go from there.”