Schools Defended on Child Safety

A recent report gives Connecticut schools a failing grade in  recognizing child abuse and neglect and taking action to prevent it, but Stamford Superintendent of Schools Joshua Starr cautions against painting "black and white pictures" regarding student safety.

"Vigilance is extremely necessary when looking at issues of student and staff safety," said Starr. "Are we not doing a good job or can you always get better? I don't know if I would characterize it as not good enough."

The 66-page report spreads the blame, asserting that school districts, the state Department of Education and the Department  of Children and Family Services all fall short when it comes to safeguarding children. The report was prepared by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Jeanne Milstein, child advocate for the state.

It looks at the way child abuse cases have been handled across the state. In particular, it examines the Westport, East Hartford, Southington, New Haven and Bridgeport districts.

Employee screening and other hiring practices, and rules governing the reporting of abuse were given special attention, according to the report. "We have found a maze of miscommunication and misinformation, where mandated reporters fail to properly communicate abuse allegations, local and state authorities fail to share abuse information or adequately screen new hires, and public officials fail to set clear, explicit polices and training," said Blumenthal in a press release.

As districts across the state prepare for the coming school year, Starr says there are standard practices that have been put into place in Stamford to help protect youngsters and alert staff to possible abuse. He said like all districts, Stamford’s policies must adhere to applicable laws.

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