Escambia County Schools Superintendent John Knott this afternoon confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into grade changing at W.S. Neal High School.

Knott said the grade changing was found when administrators at WSN were working to finalize the Class of 2018’s Top 10.

The Top 10 are the students with the highest grade point average.

“As we were trying to finalize the Top 10 at W.S. Neal High School, we were doing as we always do and go back and double check transcripts to check for anomalies,” Knott said.

Knott said he was contacted by WSN administrators, who reported discrepancies to him in which report card grades did not match transcripts.

Knott said once it was determined that some changes had been made, he immediately contacted the Alabama Department of Education for help with the investigation.

“We have asked for help from the state department of education to help us determine what happened, and will work to get student records corrected,” he said. “We have brought in additional people to help determine that all transcripts are correct and accurate.”

Knott said he will hold all accountable for the record changing.

In meantime, Knott said the Top 10 will not be announced until the matter is cleared up.

“We are working hard to get these transcripts validated so that we will be able to name the Top 10 before graduation,” he said.

WSN’s graduation is Tuesday, May 22, just 18 days away.

“It is my priority to get this taken care in time to make that announcement,” he said.

Knott would not comment on how many students were affected by the grade changes or what subjects were changed.

“The investigation is ongoing,” he said.