A Davenport school principal has been cleared of the most serious charge, but still faces penalties for a cheating scandal. Today the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners announced its decision in the case of Sara Gott.
Gott was the principal at Madison Elementary in 2013, when the district found that some student answer sheets for the Iowa Assessments had been altered. She was also accused of lying to investigators.
D.T. Magee, executive director of the board of educational examiners, says it found no evidence she changed test answers, but did conclude she did not provide accurate information to its investigators.
As a result, it decided she should receive a public letter of reprimand and be required to take a 15-hour ethics course. Magee considers that a very light punishment - in more serious cases the board can permanently revoke someone's license.
Gott is currently principal at Hayes Elementary in Davenport.
Her lawyer, Craig Levien, is strongly recommending that she appeal the decision in district court.
