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Former Jones High School principal changed student athlete's grades, report says

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A newly released report from the Orange County Public School District revealed a high school principal resigned after he was caught changing student athlete's grades.

Eyewitness News first reported that Roderick Waldon resigned in May, citing personal reasons. However, the report released Thursday said he changed student’s grades so they could keep playing sports or get access into honor clubs.

The district's investigative report stated that Waldon altered grades for 15 students. In one instance, the report said he changed a "D" grade to an "A."

A spokesperson for the district said Friday that Waldon's actions were "unacceptable."

The district removed two track athletes from being eligible to compete after the findings. Eyewitness News is working to confirm what, if anything, will happen to the other students.

When investigators asked Waldon why he changed the grades, he said, “Instruction was poor," but didn't have anything to support that. He said he changed the grades to improve eligibility for athletic competition and scholarships. For others, he said it was to boost a student's grade after final exams.

The teacher's union president told Eyewitness News in an email, "To blame teachers for poor instruction is unethical and despicable. The saddest things are that the students are disadvantaged by this action, and the community loses confidence in all of us."

Waldon had been at the school since June 2015 and was with the school district for 14 years.

A spokesperson for the district told Eyewitness News in May that no senior's graduation status has been impacted by the investigation. No football players were part of the grade changing either, officials said.

Waldon did not respond to Eyewitness News request for comment.

Channel 9's Angela Jacobs is following this developing story. Follow her on Twitter and watch Eyewitness News for updates.