The disappearance of autistic teen Avonte Oquendo has prompted city schools to beef up their security measures.
The Education Department announced Thursday it will overhaul the way it keeps track of more than 100,000 special-needs kids. Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott also said the agency would investigate the case of Avonte — who vanished Oct. 4 after walking out of Center Boulevard School in Long Island City.
“We’re going to do a comprehensive review,” he said Thursday on “The John Gambling Show.”
“My heart and prayers go out to Avonte’s family.”
Education officials plan new or expanded programs for dozens of schools that will include additional training for school staff and safety agents, two-way radio and video systems, public address systems and panic-button notification systems. Police have investigated more than 600 tips in their search for 14-year-old Avonte. His family filed a $25 million notice of claim against the city on Oct. 9.
