School board chairman accused of cheating to get his GED

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky State Police allege that the chairman of a county school board had someone else take a high school-equivalency test in his place when questions arose over the validity of the high school diploma he bought online.


Trooper Shane Jacobs said investigators found that Knox County School Board Chairman Dexter Smith had a teacher at the testing facility take the GED last month. The state police submitted its perjury investigation to prosecutors to decide whether criminal charges should be filed.

Candidates for school board seats must sign affidavits declaring they meet the state's requirements that members have a high school diploma or equivalent. The Mountain Advocate reported Smith purchased a diploma online. Questions arose about its validity and Smith announced he would take the GED.

His lawyer declined to comment.