Two Poughkeepsie High School administrators have voluntarily taken an administrative leave during the investigation.
What started as a routine review of the state Regents exam ended with questions about whether some Poughkeepsie High School students truly earned their right to graduate.
"As an example, a student could have got 49 on a previous exam and all of a sudden to an 82. Or 47 then 77. Those are major jumps," said Dr. Laval Wilson, Superintendent.
Superintendent Dr. Laval Wilson says the district is doing an internal investigation and looking at how the exam was given to students.
They found two problems; significant leaps in scores, and certain accommodations given to some students including getting extra time to take the test.
"Is there a concern that cheating was involved?" Eyewitness News asked.
"I wouldn't want to go into the details yet. We're trying to get to the bottom of this," Dr. Wilson said.
Dr. Wilson confirms two administrators at the school have taken a voluntary leave of absence.
School sources say it's the principal and assistant principal.
No one answered the door at Assistant Principal Mary Ann Mayone's home.
And a woman who answered the door at Principal Edgar Glascott's home didn't have much to say.
"I'm sorry, not right now," she said.
Students Eyewitness News talked to believe teachers or administrators did nothing wrong.
"I think it's nonsense. I don't think Mr. Glascott would do that. I don't that any administrators would do that. They try hard to get us through," said Josiah West, a freshman.
The investigation started with a look at 11 student exams taken in January of this year.
But given the discrepancies the district is broadening its look.
"We don't know yet how many students will have their tests vacated and will have to take it again," Dr. Wilson said.
As a matter of protocol, representatives of the State Education Department have been informed of the district's investigation.
As the investigation continues, Mr. Jose Carrion, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, will also serve as acting principal at Poughkeepsie High School.
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