Investigation Into Douglass Principal's Cheating Allegations Is Costly

News 9 is learning new details surrounding the resignation of a highly scrutinized high school principal.

Cheating allegations not only cost Douglass Principal Brian Staples his job, but also the school district a lot of money.

10/4/2012 Related Story: New Information Comes To Light In Alleged Douglass High Grades Tampering Case

To put a price tag on the four month investigation paid for by Oklahoma City Public Schools, we sent the district a request for that information as well as the investigative reports your tax dollars paid for.

OKC public schools spent almost $44,000 a year in salary on Dr. Brian Staples, but in 2012 that amount nearly doubled, when the district paid an additional $48,000 to have the principal investigated.

Grade tampering and altering attendance records are among the cheating allegations made by former employees for nearly two years.

Following the complaints, a four month investigation, and a brief suspension of the principal, the district announced Staple's resignation, but without any detail as to why.

But in the resignation agreement between the district and Dr. Staples, both indicate the resignation is not an admission of wrongdoing, but rather to avoid the cost of possible litigation.

Still in a statement, at a previous news conference, the school district announced the investigation determined a majority of the allegations were unfounded.

News9 requested a copy of the investigative reports to see exactly what investigators did find, only to be denied again.

The district cites confidentiality at the same time indicating Dr. Staples agreed to give up some confidentiality by releasing the investigative reports to both the Oklahoma and United States departments of education.

Under the resignation agreement, Staples is on the payroll for only two more days and will be cashed out more than $25,000 for unused vacation and sick time.