Clayton High teachers resign amid test-tampering investigation

End-of-course history tests given last week at Clayton High were tampered with, said Lynda Fuller, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Public Instruction. Students in the affected classes will have to take the test again this week, she said.

The tests count for 25 percent of students' grades.

U.S. history teacher and assistant baseball coach Christopher Cullom and U.S. history teacher and head wrestling coach Anthony Zimmerman resigned their positions, effective Friday. School officials would not elaborate on why they left.

Principal Clint Eaves sent a letter Monday to the parents of 86 students who will have to retake exams.

School district officials said review sheets provided to the students to prepare for the test included at least one of the actual test questions.

Johnson County Schools and the Department of Public Instruction thoroughly investigated the problem, Eaves said in the letter, and found that some students' test results were deemed invalid because of the "irregularities."

Students will be given a course review on Wednesday and will retake the test Thursday. Eaves said students who don't pass will have an opportunity to take the test again, in accordance with state education policy.

Eaves wrote that concerned parents could discuss the matter with school officials from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.