Students Mistakenly Get Diplomas After Mix-Up

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,None — Thank you for voting on wsoctv.com. Who's To Blame In This Situation? In your opinion, who is to blame with this mix-up in graduation requirements? School Students Principal Parents Other

A local valedictorian who thought she would be preparing for college this summer is now studying in summer classes after an administrative mix-up at Garinger High School.

CMS officials said Garinger Leadership & Public Service High School gave 11 students, including the valedictorian, diplomas even though they did not meet graduation requirements.

"I was devastated," parent Tamela Fennell said. "I felt so bad for the principal and for the students."

Fennell's daughter attends the New Technology High School at Garinger. When Fennell, who is president of the Parent-Teacher Association at New Technology, heard about what happened, she was concerned but not surprised.

"No," she said, "because of the state of our schools. We need help."

CMS officials said in May, the counselor at Garinger Leadership & Public Service High School left. They said that person is critical in checking graduation requirements.

Those officials said before graduation, a CMS employee from the central office checked those requirements, found the mistake and told Garinger officials.

But on June 14, 11 students still received their diplomas when they shouldn't have.

School officials hadn't told them or their parents about the problem.

Fennell blames the principal and the administration

"She's the principal and she can't be over everything," Fennell said. "There are more people involved with this, not just her. The counselors, the administration -- at the end, she's paying the price, she's gone."

Now, Fennell said, she's terrified about next year, when the five specialized schools at Garinger merge and her daughter will be graduating.

She said she will be checking her daughter's graduation credits carefully.

"Parents just entrust everything to these principals and these schools but you have to stay involved," she said. "It just lets me know that I really need to be on top of things next year to ensure that she graduates."

Earlier this week, the principal at Garinger Leadership & Public Service High School resigned. CMS officials said they believe no other students in any other schools were affected by the same mistake.

WSOC