By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

An investigation into allegations of grade tampering and other improprieties at Walnut Hills High School is moving more slowly than expected because the complainants have refused to provide Cincinnati Public Schools with information, the district's superintendent said Thursday.

Charles Winburn, a former Cincinnati council member and Walnut Hills parent who represents the Save Walnut Hills Committee/The Parents' Union, alleges that the district's highest-achieving high school and its principal, Marvin Koenig, have been inflating students' grades, lowering entrance requirements, expunging records and committing other improprieties for at least two years.

Despite repeated requests from CPS, Winburn has refused to give the district documentation that he claims will substantiate his allegations. The former city councilman said those who provided the information fear retaliation.

"We've stopped asking," Superintendent Alton Fraileysaid.

He couldn't predict when the investigation will be completed.

In a March 31 letter, attorney Arthur C. Church, who represents Winburn's group, wrote to CPS's attorney C. Scott Romans: "The request for our records is viewed as an attempt to shift the blame to the Union for the lack of progress in your efforts to quickly investigate the allegations ... You know the Union will not reveal its sources or documentation that it has gathered because of its concern that those who provided the information or documentation will be retaliated against."

Koenig had no comment Thursday about the investigation.

E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com