The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General is investigating the Sumter County School District following allegations that district leadership falsified student data over multiple years to manipulate school grades and state funding.

According to a complaint received on Nov. 17, 2023, and forwarded by the FDOE Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement, an anonymous source accused the district—under the direction of longtime Superintendent Richard Shirley of allegedly violating state and federal laws by establishing so-called “shell schools.”

The complaint alleges that the shell school concept was developed by South Sumter High School Principal Allen Shirley, the superintendent’s son, with support from Denise Shirley, the superintendent’s wife and a former district teacher who reportedly came out of retirement to help implement the program.

According to the complaint, low-performing students were systematically withdrawn from their assigned schools each January from the 2016-17 through 2020-21 school years and re-enrolled in a district-run virtual school. However, students continued to attend their physical schools and receive instruction from the same teachers—without being informed of their virtual enrollment.

The whistleblower also claims that parents were not notified, and that Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students were placed in these programs without proper consent or access to mandated accommodations.

In response to the allegations, the Inspector General conducted a series of data requests to the FDOE and confirmed that approximately 200 students were withdrawn each January during the specified timeframe.

As of now, the investigation remains ongoing. The Inspector General’s office has not issued a final determination regarding whether any laws were violated.

Superintendent Richard Shirley had served in his role since 1996 and was one of Florida’s longest-tenured school district leaders. Neither he nor the district has publicly responded to the allegations. Logan Brown now serves as Superintendent of Sumter County schools.

More information is expected to be released as the investigation continues. Click here to view the final report document.

Photo Credit – Sumter County Schools