Former Bristol, TN schools director Tom Sisk pleads guilty to criminal activity in Alabama

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB/WAFF) — The former director of Bristol, Tennessee schools, Tom Sisk, has changed his plea to guilty. Sisk, was indicted in Alabama after a federal probe alleges his involvement in a student enrollment fraud.

Last year, Sisk resigned and took a buyout from Bristol, Tennessee schools after controversy surrounding his doctorate title. It was revealed he does not have a Ph.D. from an accredited institution.

LAST YEAR | Bristol, TN City Schools agree to buyout with director

Mark Hutton is a parent in the city school school system. "I think a lot of us were hoping he was in the past," he told News 5 Tuesday.

Sisk faces one federal count of conspiracy for his previous time as a superintendent in Limestone County, Alabama. The indictment involves five other Alabama educators with conspiracy, wire fraud and identity theft charges.

"These so-called educators have been charged for preying on the schools that placed them in positions of trust to educate students and the students they promised to serve," said Kori Smith, an acting special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Education.

Prosecutors allege the defendants, a few years back, boosted virtual school enrollment numbers using student information from another part of the state. They are also accused of profiting off the scheme.

"The defendants went as far to create fake report cards, transcripts and even home addresses and report those to the state department of education," said U. S. attorney for the middle district of Alabama, Louis V. Franklin, Sr. "The defendants personally enriched themselves, either through questionable contracts or cash payments made under the table."

Authorities say the Limestone and Athens school districts would have been overpaid roughly $7 million of taxpayer money.

"You're innocent in our country until proven guilty. And I know Trey Holladay and I know Mr. Sisk. I don't know Trey's wife but I would obviously give them the benefit of the doubt," said Wayne Reynolds, a state school board member.

Back closer to home, Hutton describes the situation as heartbreaking. "I think about Limestone County schools and the scandal that's going on there. They're reeling from what he did or been alleged to have done," he said. "I'm thankful that our school board made the decision they did last year, we were able to move forward and we're not dealing with it now."

You can view a copy of the indictment HERE or below.

Bristol, Tennessee's board of education offered News 5 the following statement about this situation.

“We became aware today of an investigation and subsequent indictment in Alabama related to Tom Sisk. Though we certainly cannot comment on the substance of any criminal charges, it is our understanding after reviewing the indictment that those charges involve alleged activities which occurred during the time Mr. Sisk was employed with Limestone County Schools in Alabama. Therefore, as the charges are not related to Bristol Tennessee City Schools or Mr. Sisk’s time in Tennessee, we have no additional information to share or any further comment.”