TULSA--A scandal over the ineligibility of athletes at Booker T. Washington High School continues to worsen as the principal there was first reprimanded and then reassigned.Yesterday, school district officials announced that the number of ineligible athletes has exceeded 40 and that even more game forfeitures are anticipated.
Supt. Keith Ballard said during a news conference yesterday that Michael Johnson, Washington High’s principal, has been reassigned.
Earlier, it was announced that the principal and others at the high school had been reprimanded over the scandal.
“This has been a very difficult day for a very proud high school in Tulsa public schools,” Supt. Ballard said.
“What grieves me the most about this process is the harm that has been done to students, athletes who worked hard all summer to showcase their abilities.”
Sanctions were imposed last week against the athletic department at the high school.
The sanctions followed an internal investigation that found six athletes were ineligible because of transfer and recruiting violations.
In addition to the principal, four officials from the athletic department were reprimanded.
On Wednesday, district officials said an additional 37 students had competed who were ineligible due to low grades.
The 37 had participated in softball, volleyball, cross-country sports and football.
With those athletes being ineligible, the Washington vs. Miami (Okla.) High School football game will be forfeited, officials said.
Four volleyball matches (including the recently-held Regional Volleyball Championship) will be forfeited, as well.
Although athletics regulations required high schools to begin academic eligibility checks on Sept. 14, Washington High did not begin to do so until Oct. 12.
“Witnesses have testified that they alerted the principal and site [athletic directors] to this in September,” an investigative report of the school district said, but the principal, Antwain Jimmerson and Ioder Fisher were reluctant to do so.
Mr. Jimmerson and Mr. Fisher are both athletic directors.
Supt. Ballard said Wednesday he had emphasized to Washington High faculty members that they should “ensure that academics come first.”
“We, in fact, did have people who were reporting that there were difficulties with student grades,” the superintendent said at yesterday’s news conference.
“That’s where the adults did not step up and take care of their obligation in turning that in.”
He said the principal requested yesterday morning an administrative transfer to another school.
Also, Geoff Woodson, assistant principal at Washington High, has been transferred.
He will become assistant principal at Memorial High School. It has not been determined where Mr. Johnson will be assigned.
The superintendent indicated there might be additional disciplinary action taken.
Supt. Ballard was asked why he had not taken more serious disciplinary actions.
“That’s a personnel issue that I’m not going to get into in depth at all,” he answered. “I believe that we need to do what we believe is in the best interest as district administrators and then prepare to move forward.”
Mr. Johnson will take vacation time while his new assignment is being determined.
The superintendent said he hopes to name an interim principal at Washington High on Monday.
