WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. May 28, 2006: White Plains Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors has written parents in the School District a letter, stating the "New York State Comptroller's audit on disruptive student behavior has caused some confusion and misinformation," and assuring parents "that White Plains High School is a safe and healthy environment for all of our students and staff."

Connors writes parents that "We want you to be aware that disruptive behavior, as defined by the state, is not necessarily violent behavior. It includes incidents such as cutting class, plagiarism, and other infractions of the school's code of conduct."

Connor also reveals in the letter, that before Comptroller Hevesi published his report last week, accusing White Plains High School of withholding 94% of disruptive incidents, "we had agreed to meet with the State Education Department to review our data and ensure that we are fully compliant with their reporting guidelines. We, along with many other school districts, had found the reporting system very confusing. This meet (with the the SED) will take place in the coming weeks."

"Like all high schools, we have disruptive incidents that occur. When they do, we work closely with our school administrators, students and parents to resolve them to ensure the safety of everyone involved. We also work with the White Plains Police Department, when necessary. We agree with the Comptroller that accurate reporting is necessary in order to address the safety of schools across New York and we are committed to keeping our schools safe learning environments for all."

The tone of Connors letter stops short of accusing the Comptroller's office of grandstanding on the reporting of disruptive incidents by schools, but implies it.  He finishes by writing,

Connors, in a telephone interview with WPCNR Friday, cited for example of the misinformation the Comptroller's report implied, stating that White Plains had failed to report one instance of "sexual violence." Connors objected strongly to characterizing the incident as violent because it involved a student exposing his posterior out the window of a school bus.

Connors said WPHS reported 24 Disruptive Behavior incidents in the School District to the SED in 2004-2005. In 2003-2004, the year the Comptroller's report covered, the district reported 22, and was accused of withholding 289 incidents they should, in the Comptroller auditor's opinion, should have reported

 

The Comptroller's Press Office told WPCNR last week their auditors who compiled the unreported incidents by going over school records at WPHS did not meet with police, but were "expert" in their experience in analyzing incidents of disruptive behavior.