NYC school misconduct complaints vastly exceed investigations

Complaints against school employees in New York City have reached a record high. In 2024, the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) received 11,874 complaints about alleged misconduct by educators and staff. However, the agency only launched investigations into 484 of these complaints, which is just 4%. City Councilman Robert Holden expressed concern about the situation. He believes more funding is needed for these investigations. He stated that the current system allows corruption to continue because the consequences for wrongdoers are often minimal. Many employees accused of misconduct end up in “rubber rooms,” where they still receive pay despite not actively working. Several high-profile cases illustrate the issues. Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir, a former principal, was found guilty of fraud but was allowed to stay on the payroll until retirement in 2029. Oneatha Swinton, another principal, also kept her job despite being convicted of fraud. Joseph Canzoneri, a teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with a student, faced no consequences initially and remained employed until a public outcry forced his departure. Critics argue that Mayor Eric Adams, like previous mayors, is hesitant to address corruption fully due to union pressures. The SCI, under the leadership of Anastasia Coleman, has faced accusations of being too lenient. An anonymous complaint from 2019 alleged that investigators were encouraged to avoid looking into certain high-profile figures. The SCI’s budget is only $6.3 million, a small fraction of the Department of Education's $39 billion budget. The office has 55 employees, including 33 investigators. For comparison, the Department of Investigation has a much larger budget and staff, leading to a higher percentage of investigations. In the past year, the SCI investigated 146 cases of misconduct, confirming allegations in 43 instances. They identified significant theft and fraud cases but have not disclosed how much money was recovered for the Department of Education. Coleman insists the SCI plays a crucial role in protecting children and maintaining the school's integrity.