Atlanta Cheating Scandal Touches Texas

Kathy Augustine, a former deputy superintendent at Atlanta Public Schools, (the same system now embroiled in a national scandal over revelations of organized cheating facilitated and promoted by the school administrators) lasted only one day in her new job as superintendent of the DeSoto Independent School District.

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Monday evening, the district's board of trustees voted to place Augustine on paid leave as it reviews her contract.

Concerned parents called for her termination, but under the Texas Education Code, the board can only do so for "good cause" given the terms of Augustine's contract.

An early termination (except for good cause) could result in the board being forced to pay the full amount of Augustine's contract. This is likely the reason she was put on paid leave until a final decision is made.

Reactions from parents were heated.

“They are paying her to sit,” Shannon Thomas, mother of two DeSoto ISD students told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Our board who hired Ms. Augustine could have done a better job. They looked past the fact that she was under investigation. We really want her out. We are petitioning for her to resign.”

According to the AJC, the board had been informed about the APS cheating investigation, and Augustine's alleged involvement, by the recruiting firm hired find the district's new superintendent prior to her being interviewed and subsequently hired in early May.

The paper reports Georgia investigators accuse Augustine of “illegally” withholding public documents, making false statements and “aiding and abetting” former Atlanta schools Superintendent Beverly Hall in “falsifying, misrepresenting or erroneously reporting the evaluation of students.” Investigators assert, Augustine “either knew or should have known that cheating and other misconduct was occurring in schools in the APS system.”

Selected as the lone finalist in April (press release here), Augustine was hired with a majority vote (4 to 2) of the DeSoto ISD board of trustees.

"The Board is very excited about the selection of Dr. Kathy Augustine," stated then-Board President Dee Trimble in the release. "She will take DeSoto ISD to the next level with her strategic vision, outstanding knowledge of curriculum and instruction and enthusiasm. Dr. Augustine is the best leader for this district as we reach for our goal of Exemplary!"

Warren Seay Jr., current Board President, commented to the AJC that the board had been confident Augustine wouldn't be included in the investigation, but admitted, “There are some things in the report that troubled the board. We are taking all of that into consideration and we are working as a board and with Doctor Augustine to resolve things quickly.”

As of posting the board has yet to reach a decision.