Supt. Works With Lawyer On Other Possibly Guilty Centerburg Grads

CENTERBURG, Ohio -- The repercussions of an alleged cheating scandal still were being felt Monday.

On Friday, Centerburg was in an uproar after it was announced that a student allegedly hacked into the school's computer, stole and copied a test and gave it to an unspecified number of fellow students.

Superintendent Dorothy Holden told NBC 4 Monday that one student didn’t receive his diploma because he was accused of hacking into at least three teachers' computers.

The scandal caused the school district to cancel graduation -- a decision that devastated graduating seniors and lead them to hold an independent ceremony in a local park.

Centerburg Local School officials met Monday evening to determine a course of action moving forward.

Not many parents appeared at the school board's meeting, and there were no protests.

Those in attendance did have mixed opinions on how the school board handled the situation, though.

“It was the most bull-headed decision I've ever heard in my life,” one attendee said.

“I'm very proud of the board of education,” another attendee said.

Some who attended the meeting said they feel the school made the right decision in canceling the graduation ceremony.

“I’m glad the board stood on the side of integrity, and you have to stand for honesty and truth,” resident Katie Lechard said.

Other parents said they still disagree with the decision, saying the move demoralized students and parents and made all students look like criminals.

Some parents still couldn’t believe graduation was canceled.

“I’m all for punishing the ones that are guilty, but what about the innocent? What if the country was ran that way?” parent Yvonne McDonald said.

Others were undecided and said they want to know what happened with the scandal.

Government teacher Mike Vargo said he suspected cheating in his class but didn’t have proof until students came forward the week of graduation.

“I will take any responsibility -- if on my part that had to do with a security breach -- if I wasn't careful enough. But I sleep well every night because my conscience is clear because I didn't do anything wrong,” Vargo said.

The board told parents that rumors the board knew about the situation months ago weren't true and maintained the decision that cancellation was the fairest way to handle the situation.

Holden said the student accused of hacking into computers could face criminal charges but he will be given the chance to graduate by taking summer school courses.

She also said she is working with an attorney to determine how to discipline other graduates who may be found guilty.

Holden said in the future, the district will have tighter security and more accountability on the part of teachers.

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