Former CCS Data Chief Sentenced To Jail, Probation

The so-called architect of the Columbus City Schools' attendance data-rigging scandal was sentenced today to 15 days in jail and two years probation. Former data chief Steve Tankovich must also pay a 2 thousand dollar fine and court costs. Sentencing was previously delayed twice while a judge sorted out inconsistent statements about his role in the manipulating of student data to improve the district's state rankings. Tankovich said he set up a legal system, but other district officials have said he encouraged them to tamper with the data. Former Marion-Franklin High School Assistant Principal Stanley Pyle pleaded guilty last month to charges of attempted tampering with government records for allegedly changing hundreds of student grades. Federal and state authorities have said some school board members and former superintendent Gene Harris could also face criminal charges.