JONESBORO, Ga. -- Clayton County's interim superintendent has scrapped every graduating senior's diploma, because his name is not on them.

John Thompson, who has been on the job less than a month, said on Saturday that for a graduate's diploma to be truly accurate, his name needs to be on it.

"The superintendent has to sign the master list to send to the state Department (of Education), that verifies that these students have fulfilled all requirements," Thompson said Saturday.

It could take graduates more than two weeks to get their diplomas.

The printer, Herff Jones, has agreed to shoulder the $80,000 reprinting cost.

"Why? Because it's the right thing to do," said Herff Jones spokesman Rick Schewsbury.

The shredded diplomas are just the latest chapter in the saga over Clayton County schools' accreditation. The school system is primed to be the first in the state to lose its accreditation unless a host of changes are made by Sept. 1. That means the county's 52,000 students could face roadblocks getting scholarships and earning spots at many colleges.

The uncertainty has parents flooding waiting lists for private schools, signing up for home schooling and looking at renting apartments in other counties so their children can attend another district.

School officials have said they'll make the changes by the deadline. But as the class of 2008 dons caps and gowns, many wonder if the miracle turnaround will happen.