Houston ISD investigating if Furr HS students got grades for courses they didn't take

In this 2016 file photo, Dr. Bertie Simmons, the then-82-year-old principal of Furr High School, offers advice to a student who has been having discipline problems. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) In this 2016 file photo, Dr. Bertie Simmons, the then-82-year-old principal of Furr High School, offers advice to a student who has been having discipline problems. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Houston ISD investigating if Furr HS students got grades for courses they didn't take 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Houston ISD investigators are reviewing whether students at Furr High School "were receiving grades for courses they didn't take" and "received schedules for courses that didn't exist," a lawyer representing the district said Thursday.

The statements, made by the district's outside counsel, Victoria Phipps, shed additional light on the ongoing investigation of Furr High School Principal Bertie Simmons, who has been on paid administrative leave since September.

Simmons, 83, has been under investigation for allegations involving numerous issues, including recording of student grades, attendance and discipline reporting, discrimination and harassment, master scheduling and expenditures.

Houston ISD officials have offered no other details about the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation. The district's lawyers didn't elaborate further Thursday.

Simmons came out of retirement in 2000 and received accolades for helping to turn around the east-side school. She has argued the investigation stems from age and racial discrimination. A cadre of loyal supporters, including some students, have rallied to her defense.

FURR: Principal faces allegations of improper conduct, court records show

But Superintendent Richard Carranza has previously described the allegations against Simmons as "pretty serious," and district investigators have already spent three and a half months digging into the case. Phipps said the allegations involve "a lot of students."

"(The investigation) is not something that can be done in a week," Phipps said.

Simmons and two other employees at Furr High School are suing the district for retaliation. A former grant administrator, Sharon Koonce, was told her services were no longer needed after the investigation into Simmons began. A Houston ISD police officer, Craig Davis, was reassigned to a job that he believes is less prestigious.

The trio's lawyer, Scott Newar, accused Houston ISD officials Thursday of dragging out the investigation. Newar asked Harris County District Judge Fredericka Phillips to force the district to hand over documents related to the ongoing investigation. Phillips didn't grant the request, telling both sides to continue working together on discovery matters.

"The district's 'investigation' is a sham. No good-faith investigation would have taken three and a half months," he said.

District officials have given no timeline for when the investigation is expected to finish.