newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Lincoln High School is facing allegations of tampering with the grades of student athletes. The Jersey City school district has removed the principal of Lincoln High School, the school's athletic director, and a vice principal, board officials have confirmed.

Lincoln Principal Jeanette McRae Braswell, school athletic director Artie Williams, and Snyder Vice Principal John Gonzalez were reassigned to the district office on Friday pending the outcome of the investigation, Board President William DeRosa and board member Sean Connors said this morning.

NJ.com reports DeRosa said Jersey City Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr. called him Friday and said that the school officials were being removed and there is an ongong investigation into grades being changed at the school to keep some student athletes eligible to play on the football and basketball teams.

Connors said it would be "sad" for Lincoln if the allegations were true. According to the Hudson Reporter, he said that the high school has enjoyed great press recently due to the success of their football team and the school's soccer coach being honored by the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League.

A source told the Union City Reporter the alleged grade-fixing dates back at least two years and was done for members of the football team, and the girls and boys' basketball teams.

The source said the alleged grade-fixing was kept quiet by the school's administration due to the success of the teams. The Lincoln football team, coached by Robert Hampton, has gone to state playoff games the past three years. The boys' basketball team, coached by Troy Smith, won a state title in 2008 and has made playoff appearances, while the girls' team, coached by Tom Best, has had a winning record the past few years.

Connors said student athletes have to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average to play on teams.