SEE IT: Youngkin requests investigation of school following hidden merit awards

Julia Johnson

January 03, 02:32 PM January 03, 02:32 PM

The leadership of Virginia's Thomas Jefferson High School, which hid National Merit awards from students, might soon face an investigation.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) announced Tuesday his request for Attorney General Jason Miyares to begin an investigation of the school's leadership after it made headlines nationwide for withholding notification of the awards from students and their families. They were only informed of the achievements after critical deadlines had already passed with respect to college scholarships.

PARENTS DESERVE THE TRUTH, NOT SABOTAGE BY THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOLS

“We need to get to the bottom of what appears to be an egregious, deliberate attempt to disadvantage high-performing students at one of the best schools in the country,” Youngkin said. “Parents and students deserve answers and Attorney General Miyares will initiate a full investigation. I believe this failure may have caused material harm to those students and their parents, and that this failure may have violated the Virginia Human Rights Act.”

Last week, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears brought attention to the scandal, calling it "reprehensible." She claimed she had reached out to the attorney general and governor to initiate an investigation, which she seems to have followed through on.

Principal Ann Bonitatibus reportedly was notified in April of the students who would be recognized in the coming fall. However, certificates were not provided to students until November.

A local mother, Shawna Yashar, called the act “theft by the state."

Education was a pivotal issue in Virginia's 2021 gubernatorial election, with many crediting Youngkin's commitment to parents for the win. The then-candidate ran on a platform of listening to parents and fighting against critical race theory and transgender policies in schools.