An investigation of fraudulently enrolled football players at Atlanta’s Grady High School has found “conclusive evidence” that parents falsified documents for student-athletes who live outside the school’s attendance zone, Superintendent Erroll Davis said Friday.
Players who used faked documents to attend the Midtown school will be forced to leave Grady High, and parents who falsified enrollment affidavits will have to reimburse the school district up to $10,000 per school year for tuition costs, Davis said in a written statement.
None of the players involved has been identified; the investigation is ongoing, Davis said.
The anonymous written complaint that led to the investigation named 20 students — one-third of the team — who were thought to have used false mailing addresses so they could attend Grady High.
“Integrity is paramount, and we want to send a message that false affidavits have academic, personnel, financial and legal consequences that are simply not worth it,” Davis said.
After interviewing a majority of parents and guardians of Grady High’s football team, Atlanta Public Schools found that some students should be enrolled at high schools near their homes in other parts of the city, and some students live outside Atlanta, Davis said.
A few of the football players reported identical home addresses so they could play at Grady High, Davis said when he announced the investigation Dec. 9.
The probe already resulted in the transfer of head football coach Ronnie Millen Sr.
“While parents are ultimately responsible for false affidavits, there are issues of institutional control that must be addressed before we conclude this investigation,” Davis said.
Parents also could face legal consequences, he said. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard has said his office will consult with APS and then decide whether to take action.
The Georgia High School Association has been notified of the investigation and will review APS’ findings, Executive Director Ralph Swearngin said when the probe was announced.
The Grady Grey Knights finished the season with an 8-3 record and lost in the first round of the playoffs Nov. 15. The school would have to forfeit games and possibly pay fines if found to have used ineligible players, Swearngin said.
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