Update: Former CCS Official Enters Plea In Attendance Data Scandal

(Updated at 11:12 a.m.) Former Columbus City Schools data chief Steve Tankovich pleaded no contest today to a felony charge related to the district's student attendance data scandal. A Franklin County judge released him on a 5 thousand dollar recognizance bond ahead of a court appearance scheduled for October 16. Tankovich signed an agreement in which he pleaded to a charge of attempted tampering with government records, in exchange for helping local, state and federal authorities investigating the scandal. Prosecutors say Tankovich showed district administrators how to alter the data under former Superintendent Gene Harris, who officials say knew about the scandal but failed to stop it. Tankovich is the first person to face a criminal charge in connection with the scandal.