An audit by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the State Education Department isn't doing enough to make sure local school districts are complying with school safety planning requirements.
Some school districts could not show auditors they had adopted required annual safety plans, held public hearings on the plans, trained employees, or appointed some required personnel to district safety teams.
DiNapoli says the state Education Department needs more staff and resources to help make sure the safety plans are being developed and sound. Without stronger oversight, he says there is a risk that school districts will continue to misinterpret the state's requirements.