Wrong homecoming queen crowned leads to investigation at Atlanta school

Atlanta Public Schools is investigating if an employee intentionally crowned the wrong homecoming queen after tallied votes determined she wasn't the winner.

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The school system admitted there was a mistake in the crowning ceremony, but Derrick Jones -- father of Douglass High School homecoming queen contestant Derrianna -- said he believes the act was intentional.

"They crowned the wrong person," Jones told WSB-TV. "They didn't want my daughter to win ... We believe it was a planned thing."

Jones said a school staff member switched the names.

“It’s alleged that a staff member made a unilateral decision that resulted in the error,” school officials said in a statement. “The actions of the staff member are being investigated and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Atlanta Public Schools is committed to fairness, honesty and transparency. Dishonest behavior does not align with our core values. Atlanta Public Schools expects all staff members to abide by the district code of conduct, treating all students with respect and impartiality.”

The staffer’s name has not been released.

APS said principal Ellis Duncan has decided to let the students be co-homecoming queens.

“The decision was made in deference to the fact that the incident which occurred was in no way the fault of the two students,” read the statement.

Jones told WSB-TV his daughter won with 83 percent of the votes and will be crowned at the school's pep rally, but he doesn't think it's fair for her to share.

“Both of these girls have to share this crown now,” he said. “Regardless of what reason, this shouldn’t have been done.”

Cox Media Group