CMS administrator resigns over inflated graduation numbers

An administrator with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is stepping down after inflated numbers suggested the school system had a higher graduation rate that it actually does.

Chris Cobitz, the CMS administrator in charge of school progress reports, told school leaders that he will resign effective in February.

The news comes after numbers suggested the graduation rate at CMS was at 98 percent, when in reality, it's 75 percent.

Channel 9 spoke to CMS interim Superintendent Hugh Hattabaugh about the issue.

He is calling it a quality-control issue.  Hattabaugh said the district is trying to figure out how the number became so skewed.

Hattabaugh called Cobitz an individual of character and said that Cobitz resigned because he ultimately oversees the numbers and recognizes that incorrect numbers can present problems for CMS.

Cobitz released the following statement:

"A major portion of my responsibility at CMS was to ensure the accuracy of data being released. I obviously did not perform that function in an acceptable manner in regards to the new metric on the school  progress reports. It is better for the children of Mecklenburg county when the public does not have reason to doubt the accuracy of reports  made.  Recent events could cause the public to question future reports  from my office. I take responsibility for any inaccurate data that was released.

It has been a privilege to serve two great superintendents in CMS, Dr.  Gorman and Mr. Hattabaugh. CMS is one of the best school systems in  the nation and it has been an honor to be part of such a great  organization."