SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – An investigation by the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) uncovered allegations against the Sumter County School District, including claims of falsifying student data and failing to inform parents about significant changes in their children’s school enrollment.

The inquiry began on Nov. 17, 2023, when an anonymous complaint was forwarded to the OIG, which stated that the district, under former Superintendent Richard Shirley, created “shell schools” to remove low-performing students from school grades, thereby increasing state funding.

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The report indicated that various schools within the district referred to this practice as the SOAR program, which aimed to provide specialized instruction for struggling students.

The investigation revealed that approximately 200 students were withdrawn from their zoned schools and enrolled in the Sumter Professional Center and Early Learning Academy, Sumter Virtual School/Franchise, or Sumter Virtual Instruction, the report states.

The OIG found that these withdrawals were often made without parental consent, particularly concerning Exceptional Student Education students.

In a statement, Shirley defended the SOAR program, asserting that it was designed to help students improve academically, but according to the OIG’s findings, the program was primarily used to manipulate school grades.

The report noted that Wildwood Elementary School, where many of the students were withdrawn from, achieved a B grade during the 2016-2017 school year, a significant improvement from the previous year’s D grade. The OIG calculated that the school would have received a C grade had the SOAR students remained enrolled.

The OIG concluded that the SCSD violated several rules and regulations, including the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.

The report recommended that the FLDOE take appropriate action regarding these findings.

Sumter County Superintendent Logan Brown issued the following statement:

“This conduct was deceptive, unethical, and completely unacceptable. It is a betrayal of public trust and a gross disservice to the students, families, and educators of Sumter County. We are not in the business of gaming the system—we are in the business of educating children, honestly and equitably.

Since taking office in November, I have made it my mission to rebuild trust within our school district. I want the public to know: this will never happen again under my watch. Transparency is not optional—it is the foundation of effective leadership. Every child in Sumter County deserves an education system that puts their learning and their future first, not one that treats them as data points to be manipulated.

Even before these findings were released, we began implementing strict oversight protocols and internal accountability measures to ensure that all student reporting practices reflect the highest ethical standards moving forward. We will also be fully reviewing enrollment and reporting procedures to guarantee that families are always fully informed and empowered in decisions affecting their child’s education.

I remain committed to restoring the community’s confidence in Sumter County Schools, and I will not shy away from the hard work that must be done to earn and keep your trust.”

Superintendent Logan Brown

A spokesperson for Sumter County Schools said the district will cooperate fully with the FLDOE and has already begun reviewing all related practices districtwide.