Jasper-Troupsburg school officials failed to meet multiple state requirements for emergency preparedness drills over a two-year period, according to a new audit from the New York State Comptroller’s Office. The review found missed drills, incomplete documentation, and failures to notify parents as required under updated state law.
Audit covers July 2023 through June 2025
The audit evaluated whether the district properly conducted and reported mandatory evacuation, lockdown, and bus emergency drills. State law requires each school building to complete 12 annual evacuation and lockdown drills—six of them by December 31—and mandates three bus drills per year on every bus. Drills must also occur at varying times and cover specific conditions, such as secondary evacuation routes, lunchtime procedures, and assemblies.
Key findings
Auditors found that Jasper-Troupsburg completed the required number of building drills in the 2023–24 school year but failed to conduct many of them within mandated timeframes. Five of the drills required by December 31, 2023, were conducted late. Another two were late in 2024. In both years, three of the four evacuation drills required within the first 10 days of school did not occur on time. Principals told auditors they were unaware of several timing requirements.
Documentation gaps also prevented the district from proving it met core drill criteria. Logs did not show whether drills covered secondary egress routes, occurred during lunch or assemblies, or reflected varied times of day. Though principals said some of these elements were practiced, none were recorded.
Parent notifications—which became mandatory in July 2024 for all building drills—were also mishandled. Of the 16 drills that required notice, the district failed to notify parents five times, sent notices late twice, and once improperly included the exact drill date, which state rules prohibit.
Bus drill compliance lagged as well. The district missed four required bus drills across 2023–24 and 2024–25. Forms used by drivers lacked key information, including dates, preventing auditors from confirming when drills occurred. The district also could not show that all students participated or received required instruction, including “mini-drills” before sports and activity trips. Former district officials failed to file the required annual bus drill certification with the State Education Department for 2023–24.
The audit warns that incomplete or inconsistent emergency training puts students and staff at risk and leaves parents uncertain about school safety practices.
District response and recommendations
The comptroller’s office issued four recommendations: conduct and document drills properly; amend drill forms to capture all state requirements; ensure parents receive timely, appropriate notifications; and file all required reports with the State Education Department.
District officials said they generally agreed with the findings and will take corrective action. A formal corrective action plan is required within 90 days and must be posted publicly.
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