Timeline of EPISD cheating scandal
A comprehensive timeline of events since the El Paso Independent School District cheating scandal was first brought to light:
• May 2010: State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh launches accusations of cheating against EPISD
• Oct. 2010: Texas Education Agency clears EPISD
• Dec. 2010: FBI confirms investigation underway
• Aug. 2011: EPISD Superintendent Lorenzo Garcia arrested
• Aug. 2011: Dr. Terri Jordan named interim superintendent
• Jun. 2012: Garcia pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud
• Aug. 2012: TEA lowers EPISD’s status; assigns monitor
• Sep. 2012: Michael Williams appointed as new TEA commissioner
• Sep. 2012: Jordan steps down from interim superintendent post
• Sep. 2012: Vernon Butler named new interim superintendent
• Oct. 2012: Garcia sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison
• Nov. 2012: TEA commissioner requests external audit of agency
• Nov. 2012 – Feb 2013: Weaver & Tidwell LLC conduct $800,000 forensic audit to investigate cheating
• Dec. 2012: TEA commissioner strips EPISD board of powers; appoints temporary board
• Mar. 2013: Eight administrators reassigned, including Austin HS Principal John Tanner. Students, parents protest. The board reinstates 7 out of 8 after a marathon meeting with 4 hours of public comment.
• Apr. 2013: EPISD releases ‘The Weaver Report’
• May 2013: TEA-appointed board takes over
• Jun. 2013: Federal audit released, slams Damon Murphy for role in helping carry out cheating scheme
• Aug. 2013: Tanner placed on administrative leave “due to employee relations matter”
• Sep. 2013: Juan Cabrera named new superintendent
• Dec. 2013: Board of Managers recommend termination of John Tanner and Asst. Principal Diane Thomas
• Apr. 2014: TEA petitions to revoke educator certificates of 11 involved in cheating, including Damon Murphy
• Jun. 2014: Murphy surrenders teaching certificate
• Oct. 2014: Former administrator Myrna Gamboa pleads guilty to conspiring with Garcia in cheating scheme
• Oct. 2014: Election of new board members called for by TEA
• Jan. 2015: Gamboa sentenced to 5 years probation
• May 2015: New board members elected, takes over from TEA managers
• Apr. 2016: Five former EPSID administrators arrested
