DURHAM, N.C. – Tuesday is the deadline for a Durham charter school to complete its investigation into possible fake diplomas.
This comes after it was discovered that many recent graduates of Kestrel Heights High School didn't earn their diplomas.
Officials with Kestrel Heights must submit a report to the office of charter schools by Tuesday.
That report will show their findings after the discovery that more than 50 graduates between 2014 and 2016 where wrongly given diplomas.
An internal audit revealed that many graduates during that time didn't meet the state requirements to graduate.
The school's executive director, Doctor Mark Tracy said last month, no one currently on staff was involved in this issue.
Tracy says in some cases students didn't pass their courses or didn't take the class at all.
The recent principal discovered the cover-up as she was reviewing transcripts for rising seniors a few months ago.
She started probing for answers and realized that the problem needed to be reported.
That prompted state education leaders to get involved.
So the school has been auditing transcripts going back to 2008.
“That's what we're investigating, is to determine where the breakdown was within the system, within the organization,” said Tracy.
It's just a matter of time before we find out if this investigation will reveal a possible motive for this cover up.
Also, the Durham County District Attorney has been put on notice to see if any criminal charges are necessary.