By MIKE RUSSO
The district's plan for identifying students requiring special education services, and the policies and procedures associated with developing, implementing and overseeing the necessary programs were audited by the office of state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli over a three-year period beginning in July 2005. Close attention was also paid to the district's individualized education programs, or IEPs, which all school districts must develop and provide for each student found to require special needs. The report also revealed that all referrals and evaluations were completed in a timely manner, in accordance with state mandates.
According to a report released by DiNapoli's office, the district was found to have complied with over 98 percent of state and federal regulations pertaining to its special education services. The only recommendation made to the district was that officials keep better records of the dates and types of services provided to each of its students. As that information was not immediately available, auditors claimed, they confirmed those records by reviewing other documents such as student referrals and attendance.
In a press release, DiNapoli cited the district as one that is communicating students' needs and progress with parents and "getting special education right."
Michelle Gallo, the district's director of Pupil Services, said she was not overly surprised by the recognition, as she and her staff work very hard to implement the necessary policies and procedures.
Auditors' concern about the district's record keeping can be attributed to the district's special education attendance policy, Gallo explained, as the classroom staff has always kept its own attendance records and then finalized that information with Pupil Services at the end of the year. In light of the audit, Gallo said, her office will now be reviewing the data monthly. "We're still very pleased with 98-percent accuracy," Gallo said. "We're definitely pleased to have some good publicity, always happy to see positive results. But we're always trying to improve."
