WASHINGTON — Accusations that many recent graduates of D.C.’s Ballou High School received diplomas despite numerous unexcused absences were discussed at Wednesday night’s school board meeting.

After a WAMU report last month detailed the accusations, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson ordered the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to investigate.

But D.C. State Board of Education member Ruth Wattenberg is calling for a separate, independent review.

“Internal investigations conducted by or under the auspices of mayoral appointees are insufficient. Just ask our neighbors in Prince George’s County,” she said.

“This in no way suggests any ill purpose on the part of the mayor or her staff. It is meant to assure healthy checks and balances, a mainstay of democratic government,” Wattenberg added.

But when a resolution recommending such a review went before the entire board Wednesday, members voted to table it. Read the resolution here.