Carroll grade-school scandal lands on DA's desk

SOUTHLAKE -- The Texas Education Agency and the Carroll school district have referred allegations of records tampering by a former Carroll elementary school principal to the Tarrant County district attorney's office.

On the advice of the state agency, Carroll's attorneys sent their report of an investigation into allegations of misconduct to Tarrant County District Attorney Tim Curry on April 22, Carroll school district spokeswoman Julie Thannum said Tuesday.

The investigation found violations of special education law and state testing procedures at Old Union Elementary School. Principal Andra Barton, who resigned in the face of termination proceedings, has maintained she has done nothing wrong.

Carroll officials had presented the report to the Texas Education Agency in Austin last month.

That state agency then launched its own investigation, which is ongoing, said Debbie Ratcliffe, Texas Education Agency spokeswoman.

"Because there is a possibility of tampering related with a governmental record, we thought it would be prudent to refer the case to the district attorney," Ratcliffe said Tuesday.

David Anderson, Texas Education Agency's general counsel, wrote to Curry in an April 21 letter regarding "allegations of tampering with documents at a local elementary school." Anderson wrote that the state is concerned that if the allegations are founded, they could violate Texas law against tampering with a governmental record.

"We would also appreciate knowing whether any criminal charges result from these allegations as a certified educator is involved," Anderson wrote.

Carroll officials, too, asked to be notified of any criminal charges, Thannum said.