2 seniors suspended at Minarets High for computer hacking, changing grades

Two seniors have been suspended from Minarets High School just weeks before graduation for unlawfully hacking into teacher’s grade books and changing grades.

According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, charges for computer crimes are expected to be filed against the two students for obtaining teacher password credentials to unlawfully go online to change grades.

A number of students at the school were contacted about having grades changed for $10 per class. At this time, the sheriff’s office has confirmed seven students had their grades changed.

After several months, a teacher became aware of the unlawful entries, contacted the suspects, and the school conducted a thorough investigation.

“It has become evident to Chawanakee Unified School District personnel that the computerized academic grading system has been accessed by a small group of students in order to modify their own grades,” said Principal Daniel Ching. “This incident has been isolated to Minarets High School/Minarets Charter.”

The names of the students were not released because they are under 18 years old.

Ching said school officials are conducting a comprehensive review of the school’s electronic grading system.

“The district has determined this was an isolated incident involving student grade changes during the current term,” Ching said. “Grades prior to the 2014-15 grade year were not tampered with. Furthermore, the system accessed by students was not the district’s ‘system of record’ containing personal data, but rather isolated to individual gradebooks.”

Students, parents, or community members who would like further information should contact Bob Nelson, Chawanakee superintendent at bnelson@mychawanakee.org.

This story was originally published May 26, 2015 at 3:12 PM with the headline "2 seniors suspended at Minarets High for computer hacking, changing grades."