MCKINLEY SCHOOL Personal reports in trash bin

A councilman said he saw nothing that included Social Security numbers.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Among the items found in a trash bin near the now-closed McKinley Elementary were pupil accident reports and detention records.
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, said a binder notebook containing reports documenting McKinley pupils' injuries on school grounds from two years ago was found in the trash container Monday.
Those reports also included pupils' names, addresses and telephone numbers. Also found were some pupil disciplinary information and employee sick leave forms. Similar notebooks also were found in the bin, but rain that day made them unreadable, Novak said.
Probing the issue
Superintendent Betty J. English said she is researching the issue, talking to other school district personnel to determine what happened.
"It would give us more direction in answering any questions," she said.
Under school district policy, copies of permanent records are forwarded to schools where the pupils attend next. Reports like those involving an accident on school property, such as the accident reports included in the notebook, are copied, with one going to the superintendent's office and in some cases the business office too, English said.
Novak said he saw nothing that included pupils' or employees' Social Security numbers.
The councilman said it makes him wonder what may have been found by someone else and sorted through.
"There are regular Dumpster divers," Novak said.
Other items found include textbooks and supplies, but school district officials have said the books were outdated, so disposal was within school district policy.
James Russo, executive director of business operations, said earlier this week that by law public officials can't give items away.
denise_dick@vindy.com