Official: Stevenson High letter offering extra credit for money a fake

It's likely a few Stevenson High School students will be disappointed to find out that a letter announcing they could get extra credit points or test exemptions by making a monetary donation to the school was just a prank. Thinkstock.com

It's likely a few Stevenson High School students will be disappointed to find out that a letter announcing they could get extra credit points or test exemptions by making a monetary donation to the school was just a prank.

The letter, which appeared to be on official Stevenson High School letterhead, was dated July 8 and signed by a fake administrator.

It stated that because "student achievement is unfortunately not meeting expectations," the school was starting a new pilot program for freshmen to ease their "academic and extracurricular obligations." It would reward them with an excused tardy for a $10 donation, a homework pass for a $15 donation, five extra credit points for a $20 donation or a test exemption for a $35 donation.

The letter stated the donated funds would be used to improve the school's infrastructure, technology and teachers' budgetary constraints.

Stevenson High School spokesman Jim Conrey said he had not seen the letter yet but knew immediately it was fake.

"We would never do that," he said. "That's ridiculous. It's obviously some joke that somebody has put out there."

A post on the Stevenson High School Facebook page said the fake letter is being circulated via social media. It states: "This is a hoax, and IS NOT a Stevenson letter, program, or from a Stevenson employee. This is not something the District would ever endorse."