New York City Department of Education
Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance
in New York City Public Schools (Follow-Up)
Issued: June 12, 2012
Link to full audit report 2010-F-25
Purpose
To determine the extent of implementation of the six recommendations included in our initial audit report, Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance in New York City Public Schools (Report 2007-N-21).
Background
Our initial audit report, which was issued on November 7, 2008, examined whether the New York City Department of Education (DoEd) implemented a program that was in compliance with State legislation requiring the purchase and use of environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance (referred to as “green cleaning”) products in public schools. We found that DoEd was a year late in complying with the law requiring the purchase and use of green cleaning products, because the Chancellor’s Office did not inform its Division of School Facilities (DSF) of required actions. DSF was slow to inform its custodial engineers because it was collaborating with its cleaning supplier to develop a cleaning products catalog. The catalog was ready in time for the 2007-08 school year and, when we visited a sample of DoEd facilities during that school year, we found most of the facilities had begun to purchase and use green cleaning products. However, we determined that 42 of 191 cleaning products listed in the new catalog did not qualify as green products, because they did not meet the criteria established by the OGS. In addition, 34 of 163 products ordered and received at the school facilities we visited were not green products.
Key Findings
- Department officials have made progress in correcting the problems we identified in the initial report. They have taken action to remove cleaning products from their catalog that did not qualify as green products. However, some of the schools we visited during the follow-up review continue to store and use cleaning products that are not in compliance with the legislation.
Key Recommendations
- None
Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest
New York City Department of Education: Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance in New York City Public Schools Report 2007-N-21
State Government Accountability Contact Information:
Audit Director: Carmen Maldonado
Phone:(212) 417-5200; Email: StateGovernmentAccountability@osc.state.ny.us
Address: Office of the State Comptroller; Division of State Government Accountability; 110 State Street, 11th Floor; Albany, NY 12236
