File #: Res 0706-2015    Version: * Name: DOE to ensure that all public address systems in public schools are fully operational, properly maintained, and installed in all classrooms.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed (End of Session)
Committee: Committee on Education
On agenda: 5/27/2015
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to ensure that all public address systems in public schools are fully operational, properly maintained, and installed in all classrooms.
Sponsors: Rafael L. Espinal, Jr., Vanessa L. Gibson, Margaret S. Chin, Costa G. Constantinides, Laurie A. Cumbo, Daniel Dromm , Mathieu Eugene, Vincent J. Gentile, Corey D. Johnson, Andy L. King, Peter A. Koo, Karen Koslowitz, Alan N. Maisel, Darlene Mealy, Rosie Mendez, Donovan J. Richards, Deborah L. Rose, Andrew Cohen
Council Member Sponsors: 18
Attachments: 1. May 27, 2015 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
12/31/2017*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Filed (End of Session)  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/27/2015*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/27/2015*Rafael L. Espinal, Jr. City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 706

 

Resolution calling upon the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to ensure that all public address systems in public schools are fully operational, properly maintained, and installed in all classrooms.

 

By Council Members Espinal, Gibson, Chin, Constantinides, Cumbo, Dromm, Eugene, Gentile, Johnson, King, Koo, Koslowitz, Maisel, Mealy, Mendez, Richards, Rose and Cohen

 

Whereas, Public address (PA) systems are a vital component in school operations and are used by principals and administrators to make announcements, recite the pledge of allegiance and relay instructions during an emergency or drill; and

Whereas, According to a January 2015 article by DNAinfo, public address speakers in at least 29 New York City public schools are not working; and

Whereas, A noted school safety consultant cited in the DNAinfo article stated that the PA system is the foundation of school safety and the first step in communicating an emergency situation within a school; and

Whereas, The New York City Department of Education (DOE) is charged with creating emergency readiness planning and implementing protocols in all school buildings and communities; and

Whereas, Such emergency plans can include actions such as lockdowns, sheltering in place or evacuations; and

Whereas, These safety plans cannot be truly effective without the ability to communicate effectively to staff and students; and

Whereas, In recent lockdown incidents that occurred in several Brooklyn public schools it was reported that some teachers had to leave their classroom in order to notify other teachers about the situation at hand because of a broken PA system; and

Whereas, The DOE’s Division of School Facilities is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and the safe, efficient operation of all facilities under the jurisdiction of the school system which is approximately 1,300 buildings; and

Whereas, The safety and security of New York City’s school children is of paramount importance and it is critical that all school equipment be functioning; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to ensure that all public address systems in public schools are fully operational, properly maintained, and installed in all classrooms.

 

LS 4716

JP

5/7/15