Bills Mandate Staff Accountability
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi recently introduced two bills which will require school superintendents to report all allegation of child abuse by school employees or volunteers during the transfer of accused persons between school districts, and mandate the immediate termination of any school employee or volunteer convicted of child abuse.
One of the bills (A.9600) is meant to ensure that both superintendents and hiring schools remain accountable for the safety of students, by ensuring the integrity of newly hired school employees and volunteers. The second piece of legislation (A.9598) will tighten up provisions in the state education law which currently allows convicted child abusers to remain in school settings until a superintendent deems them unfit for their position.
Hevesi drafted these pieces of legislation in response to a series of child abuse cases that have recently surfaced in numerous schools throughout New York City. In order for New York State schools to maintain their reputability, he stated, parents should feel assured of the integrity of the staff that interacts with their children everyday.
These bills provide necessary accountability that has at times previously been overlooked, the lawmaker noted.
“These bills are a simple matter of doing what is right for our children to ensure their safety and welfare in school settings,” Hevesi said. “Principals should feel assured that they have the best possible information when making hiring decision, and likewise superintendents should be responsible for facilitating the transfer of all essential information during school employee transfers. These bills are about accountability, when it is a matter of our children’s safety there is no room for finger pointing.”
