ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A government watchdog report says federal officials have failed to ensure dozens of Native American schools undergo standard safety building checks each year.
The Government Accountability Office says its review of federally run schools for Native American children found safety hazards ranging from exposed electrical wires to aging dormitory boilers that were blamed for high carbon monoxide levels. The findings were included in a report presented to a congressional subcommittee Wednesday.
The schools under scrutiny are among 180 in some 20 states that fall under the oversight of the Interior Department's Bureau of Indian Education, which has requested $1 billion from Congress in the next budget to overhaul the schools and further improve classroom conditions.
The watchdog report also found 69 schools did not undergo building inspections in 2015 — up from 55 schools in 2012.