A school district investigation found that a former Lake Worth, Fla. high school principal “misused” his authority by forging documents and having teachers complete his son’s homework.
A major part of the investigation, which finished this spring, found that George Lockhart had three high school teachers do his son’s math homework between 2014-2015, the Palm Beach Post reported Wednesday.
Lockhart, the former principal of Lake Worth High School, denied the accusations concerning his son’s homework, but eventually the three teachers came forward and said Lockhart had given them the passwords to access his son’s homework content. His son was a middle school student during this time.
Lockhart claimed he had the teachers do the homework so he could learn how to tutor his son, but often the assignments were sent in a few minutes after teachers emailed Lockhart a copy.
“When I completed the assignment I would email them to Dr. Lockhart via district email,” math teacher Richard Gomersall told investigators. “I have known Dr. Lockhart for a very long time so, out of respect, I didn’t want to tell him no. I wish I was never put into this situation.”
The investigation also revealed that Lockhart made students pay $1 to attend four in-school events — a fashion show, two pep rallies and a wrestling match — despite it being against district rules to charge students for in-school events.
The school misreported the funds they got from charging the students extra, manipulating the data to make it seem like funds had been raised because students sold things during the events.
Lockhart was demoted and got a $21,000 pay cut for his actions. The school district decided not to fire him because he has done good things in general for the school.
“Mr. Lockhart made some real mistakes in decision-making and lapses of judgment with his leadership on campus,” School Superintendent Robert Avossa said. “But I always have to take the totality of the matter and press the bad decisions against a 27-year run where he was contributing in a very positive way.”
Lockhart’s lawyer denied the allegations on behalf of his client, saying they were the result of an angry employee.
“Dr. Lockhart is the victim of an employee whom he reprimanded and whose transfer he sought. That employee made 38 allegations of misconduct against Dr. Lockhart, 35 of which had absolutely no merit…” Lockhart’s lawyer said in a statement. “The Superintendent understood that, while Dr. Lockhart had made a few mistakes, he did not act malicious intent.
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