Updated at 9:20 a.m. May 3:
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has listed the specific school involved in the allegations as Patrick Henry Downtown Academy.
Updated at 5:30 p.m. May 2 with a statement from the St. Louis Public Schools
State auditor Tom Schweich has activated his "rapid response team" to investigate allegations that the St. Louis Public Schools falsified attendance figures to get more state funding and meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind.
"My office has received specific information regarding attendance figures at the St. Louis Public Schools System which we believe to be credible," Schweich said in a statement. "At this time, pursuant to our ASAP protocol, we believe we need to preserve relevant evidence." ASAP stands for the Auditor's Swift Assessment Program.
Schweich's office could not provide additional information about the allegations, but says the falsification may have taken place over several years.
Darrell Moore, the ASAP director, issued subpoenas on Monday to SLPS administrators for evidence that will help determine if attendance records were altered and a more detailed investigation is required. It is the first rapid response audit since Schweich created the program in February.
In a statement, the district said it had received the subpoenas and will cooperate with Schweich.
Enrollment at the St. Louis Public Schools in grades K-12 has dropped from 32,135 in 2006-2007 to an estimated K-12 enrollment of 23,072 for next school year. Charter school enrollment during that time has nearly doubled.
