CATSKILL, NY (WRGB) — The Catskill Central School District has acknowledged that a group of high school students graduated despite not meeting the necessary requirements.
Superintendent Dr. Dan Wilson referred to these students as “improperly graduated” in a statement posted online, which revealed that an internal review found discrepancies at Catskill High School. These discrepancies allowed students to receive diplomas without fulfilling state standards.
Greg Rinckey, founding partner at Tully Rinckey PLLC, expressed concern over the situation., saying it’s “very concerning when this happens in the education system because in the end it’s the kids that get hurt,” he said.
The statement highlighted a “lack of systemic checks and balances” at the high school, including awarding credits to ineligible students and permitting students without sufficient English credits to graduate. Rinckey emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, asking, “Was it an integrity issue? Was it an oversight issue?”
Dr. Wilson stated there is no evidence that staff deliberately graduated ineligible students. However, he confirmed via email that at least 14 students over the past two years were identified as having received diplomas improperly. The issues reportedly extend beyond this period, though the exact timeframe remains unknown.
Rinckey noted the impact on students, saying, “At the end of the day it’s about the kids’ education and these kids have now graduated, these 14 have graduated not meeting the requirements for the diploma, which is concerning.”
Despite the oversight extending beyond two years, the State Education Department advised the district that investigating prior years was unnecessary.
This incident is not isolated; in 2017, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported that a high school principal in the city was accused of allowing 22 ineligible students to graduate. However, it’s important to point out that in that instance, the principal allegedly knowingly allowed the improper graduations.
Parents we spoke to off-camera outside the high school expressed embarrassment over the revelations.
