Board officials said it was too early to see any significant change.

But, board officials are quick to add, the media attention has its benefits.

Board officials said they would issue a final report and recommendations early next year.

But board officials said that they were only following state and civil service laws.

Board officials say they are proud of the system's safety record.

But board officials said that the commission's investigation was little more than a show.

"He thought there were more important things to spend his time on," one board official said.

About 1,200 teachers usually retire each year, board officials say.

The figure marked a 10-year high, according to one board official.

As a result, board officials could not determine whether all 228,000 students required to attend actually did so.