New Haven reviews allegations of grade tampering

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - New Haven has hired an outside lawyer to review allegations of grade tampering at Hillhouse High School.

Several students, parents and city officials have expressed support for Hillhouse Principal Kermit Carolina, who denies the allegations. He says they are political retaliation for his refusal to support Mayor John DeStefano Jr.'s election campaign.

DeStefano rejects those claims, saying the allegations came from a Hillhouse school administrator and not from his office or the district's administrative office.

The New Haven Register reports that Carolina's attorney says grades were changed on two students' transcripts by a computer software glitch, not by his client.

District administrators called an emergency meeting Dec. 23 to inform the school board of the allegations, which are being investigated by outside attorney Floyd Dugas on the board's behalf.