Houston ISD coach identified as ‘kingpin’, assistant principal accused of cheating released from jail

HOUSTON – Two of the three Houston ISD employees charged in connection with a lecturer– A certification fraud scheme that allowed unqualified teachers to work in local school districts has escaped jail.

Vincent Grayson, 57, the head boys basketball coach at Booker T. Washington High School, was identified as the “main pin” in the schedule. He was released on a $150,000 bond.

LaShonda Roberts, 39, assistant principal at Yates High School Houston ISDwas also released after posting $50,000 bond.

Nicholas Newton, 35, assistant principal at Booker T. Washington High School Houston ISDremains in jail on $100,000 bond.

The two others charged in the scheme, Tywana Gilford Mason, 51, former director/VA certification officer of the Houston Training and Education Center, and Darian Nikole Wilhite, 22, proctor at TACTIX, have not been taken into custody.

says Houston ISD the three employees charged with the scheme were immediately dismissed.

The alleged scheme, reportedly worth more than $1 million, involved forging credentials to secure teaching positions for individuals who did not meet certification requirements, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Court documents reveal that an estimated 430 tests were fraudulently administered and that more than 210 unqualified teachers were certified in this program and are now practicing or practicing at Texas public schools and in districts across the state.

The scandal is believed to have impacted multiple school districts in the area and across the state, raising concerns about education standards and public safety.