Forgery Allegations Cause Stir in Southern Colorado School District
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Updated: 10:45 PM Nov 13, 2009
Forgery Allegations Cause Stir in Southern Colorado School District
Should a student's transcripts accurately reflect the courses they completed? An employee with the Miami/Yoder School District believes she caught a district leader committing fraud on his son's high school transcript.
Posted: 11:26 PM Nov 12, 2009
Reporter: David Nancarrow
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Should a student's transcripts accurately reflect the courses they completed? This is the question surrounding the future of a Miami/Yoder school district employee, suspended a month ago.
She believes she caught a district leader committing fraud on his son's high school transcript.

More than a hundred people gathered at the Miami/Yoder school board meeting Thursday to support Marsha Brewer, a long time district employee who's job is on the line. If anyone didn't know the story, they found out in the course of an open comment session during the meeting.

Brewer claims the board president Jim Day ordered district employees to make his son's transcripts show he completed psychology last year as a junior at Miami/Yoder school.

Brewer told 11 News Miami/Yoder didn't offer psychology last year in the course manual. Brewer, the school registrar of 12 years, took evidence of what she believes is criminal tampering and went to the El Paso County Sheriff and school board with her concerns.

Now she is on paid administrative leave, and under investigation.

"There comes a point when you have to stand up for what you believe in," Brewer said Thursday. “When they are morally and ethically wrong, I can’t condone that kind of thing.”

School Board president Jim Day acknowledged Thursday that an independent investigation into Brewer's claims is underway. His son, a senior at Miami/Yoder school in the meantime continues to take college level courses at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

“I would bet you my life that my child’s [transcript] is exactly what was done. His transcript wasn’t touched,” Day said.

A detective with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office did do an investigation into Brewer's claims. They looked into the use of forged academic records, but it was determined there was no violation of the law.

Brewer's future with the school district is still in the air. The school board is expected to have a clearer picture by their next board meeting in December.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Miami Yoder Parents on Mar 1, 2010 at 08:36 PM

I do not believe that any of these issues are personal attacks based on knowledge of the school and its staff over the last several years. I also do not believe that the problems at the school should be glossed over because we dont want to "judge" anyone, one of the best ways to get to the bottom of things is to find a forum where everyone is allowed to relay their personal experiences with the school and its staff as well as their OPINION. Miami-Yoder has major problems with its superintendent and principal right now and I am afraid I dont see much movement to make a change and create a positive atmosphere for our kids. Until that happens, the school is going to be more about trying to stay out of trouble and less about what is in the best interest of the kids for staff, parents, and kids alike. It really is too bad, the school has alot going for it but all it takes is a couple bad apples.
Posted by: Miami Yoder Parent on Nov 19, 2009 at 01:10 PM

Too many people seem to like to jump the the first rumor they hear and jump on the witch hunt. Instead of pointing fingers at each other why don't we wait for the investigation to complete and hear ALL the facts before making judgments on others. The only fact that we have is the sheriff department did a investigation and found nothing illegal. I thought this was a christian community? What happened to "Do not judge lest ye be judged". Our school really needs a lot of healing and prayer right now.
Posted by: MIAMI YODER PARENT on Nov 13, 2009 at 04:50 PM

First of all this is not a school issue, it is a personal attack from problems the Brewer's have had with Jim day for years. Marsha is still seeking vengence for losing her annuity which was basically a yearly bonus that could have gone to the kids. If you remember, that was the last time the media crews were at Miami-Yoder. Marsha seems to be the self appointed guradian of the children, yet acting like one doesn't help the kids at Miami-Yoder. There have been many issues that needed attention but it seems only the ones that are important in her search for vengence are the ones talked about. People do not know all the facts involved in this case, it is actually semantics of a course code. She saw the opportunity for the spotlight one more time. The Brewer witch hunts need to stop. Marsha, you really had us fooled, I really thought you were about the kids.
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