"At this point, we're bystanders," district spokesman John Williams said Wednesday. "We're providing whatever information (the State Law Enforcement Division) requests, but beyond that, we have no control over the investigation."
SLED began investigating the school's administration of the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test last May after allegations surfaced that a Whale Branch administrator told teachers to scrutinize copies of the exam, Williams said at the time.
The exam, given statewide annually to third- through eighth graders, was administered May 5-14 last year. Teachers aren't allowed to look at the test because test questions can reappear from year to year, and because they shouldn't teach to the test, district Deputy Superintendent Edna Crews said last May.
Crews said Wednesday that she has heard nothing about the investigation's progress.
SLED spokeswoman Kathryn Richardson said Wednesday she doesn't know when the investigation will be complete.
"Each case has different circumstances," she said. "Cases are open varying lengths of time. It just depends on the circumstances of that case."
When SLED completes its investigation, findings will be submitted to 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh or another prosecutor, Richardson said. Murdaugh, or whoever is chosen to review the investigation's findings, will decide how to proceed with the case, she said.
SLED only becomes involved with school investigations if testing problems involve teachers, school administrators or possible criminal charges, State Department of Education spokesman Jim Foster has said.