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Kreyco Calls for Independent Investigation into NYC Department of Education Contracting, Oversight, Student Protection, and Accountability Practices

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RUTHERFORD, N.J., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kreyco Inc., a provider of educational services to New York City public schools between 2023 and 2025, today called for an independent investigation into contracting practices, administrative oversight, student protection procedures, settlement practices, and accountability mechanisms within the New York City Department of Education (“NYCDOE”), Community School District 3 (“District 3”), and the Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation (“SCI”).

The request follows testimony and documentation assembled by Kreyco concerning the administration of educational programs, procurement practices, contract management, investigative procedures, and student safety protocols affecting New York City public schools.

“This is not simply about Kreyco,” said Sean Kreyling, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kreyco. “It is about whether public institutions are safeguarding taxpayer resources, protecting students, and holding public officials accountable when systems fail.”

Two Consecutive Years of Approved Educational Services Agreements 

Kreyco provided world language instructional services to schools within District 3 during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years pursuant to agreements executed by senior district leadership.

Supporting Evidence

2023-2024 Agreement Executed by Superintendent Kamar Samuels2024-2025 Agreement Executed by Deputy Superintendent Mariela Graham

According to Kreyco, both agreements expressly contemplated review through established NYCDOE approval channels, including legal and administrative review processes. At no point during the execution, renewal, or implementation of either agreement did Kreyco receive notice that the agreements were improper, unauthorized, or non-compliant.

Payment Structure Implemented with District Knowledge and Participation 

Kreyco asserts that District 3 personnel instructed the company to utilize a specific payment structure involving two organizations after advising that payments to a single non-approved vendor would be limited.

The arrangement was subsequently utilized during the 2023-2024 school year and continued during the 2024-2025 school year.

Supporting Evidence

Communications with Samuels Regarding $25,000 Cap (2023)Communications with Samuels and Graham Regarding Renew Payment Structure (2024)

Kreyco maintains that it followed the procedures communicated by district personnel and that payments were processed through established administrative channels without objection from the relevant offices responsible for oversight.

Concerns Raised Regarding Outstanding Payments & Use of Grant Funds

During the 2024-2025 school year, Kreyco raised concerns regarding substantial past-due payments and the use of grant funds that, based on communications with District 3 leadership, were intended to support world language instruction.

Kreyco’s understanding was that funding provided through the Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grants Program was awarded, in part, to support world language programming and that Kreyco’s services were incorporated into the grant application. District 3 leadership further represented that these funds could not be used for ENL/ESL programming.

Concerns arose when Kreyco learned that funds it understood to be designated for world language instruction had been misused to support ENL/ESL programming instead.

Supporting Evidence

Correspondence with Samuels and Graham Regarding Outstanding PaymentsFollow-up Correspondence with Samuels and Graham Regarding Outstanding PaymentsGrant Funding DocumentationGrants Funds Used for ESL Instruction Documentation

Kreyco notes that these concerns were raised before the company became the subject of increased scrutiny and investigation.

Questions Regarding Timing and Subsequent Actions 

Kreyco believes the timing of certain events warrants independent review.

On March 12, 2025, representatives of SCI contacted Kreyco regarding what was described as a confidential investigation.

Two days later, on March 14, 2025, District 3 terminated Kreyco’s educational services agreement.

Supporting Evidence

SCI Notice of Investigation Dated March 12, 2025District 3 Termination Notice Dated March 14, 2025Related Correspondence

Kreyco does not presently claim to possess direct evidence establishing coordination between these actions. However, the proximity in timing raises legitimate questions regarding communications, decision-making, and the sequence of events that preceded the termination of services.

Kreyco believes these circumstances warrant independent review to determine whether appropriate procedures were followed and whether relevant agencies acted independently.

Contract Termination and Impact on Students 

Kreyco contends that the March 14, 2025 termination occurred despite contractual obligations that remained in effect and resulted in students losing access to educational programming while financial obligations associated with the agreements remained.

Supporting Evidence

Improper Contract Termination by SamuelsCorrespondence from Kreyco Legal Counsel to Samuels (No Response)Communications Kreyco Counsel to General Counsel Liz Vladeck (No Response)

The company believes these events raise significant questions regarding stewardship of educational resources and decision-making affecting student learning opportunities.

Questions Regarding Central Office Oversight 

Kreyco further questions the adequacy and consistency of oversight exercised by NYCDOE Central Office personnel involved in reviewing, administering, and facilitating the agreements.

According to Kreyco, multiple officials participated in the approval, renewal, implementation, and payment processes associated with the agreements. Despite this involvement, Kreyco alleges that subsequent scrutiny focused disproportionately on the company and its leadership rather than the public officials responsible for authorizing and administering the arrangements.

Supporting Evidence

Communications with Procurement PersonnelCommunications with Central Office Regarding Splitting Payments (2023)

Student Protection, Accountability, and Settlement Practices 

Kreyco’s concerns extend beyond contracting and financial oversight. The company is also concerned about broader systemic issues involving the handling of allegations affecting student welfare and the mechanisms used to resolve such matters.

According to records reviewed by Kreyco, certain cases involving allegations of misconduct toward students were resolved through personnel actions and settlement agreements that limited public transparency regarding the practical consequences of those resolutions.

Of particular concern is a matter in which a NYCDOE employee was investigated regarding allegations involving inappropriate conduct toward students—including conduct that was sexual and racial in nature. According to the settlement agreement, the employee was designated as “irrevocably retired.”

Supporting Evidence

Correspondence from Katherine Rodi Containing Teacher’s “Irrevocably Retired” Status

While the phrase “irrevocably retired” may reasonably create the public impression that an individual has been permanently removed from educational employment, Kreyco believes policymakers should examine the practical effect of such provisions and whether they adequately protect students.

Based on information reviewed by Kreyco, the individual retained certifications and remained eligible for employment opportunities outside the NYCDOE. These circumstances raise questions regarding whether current settlement practices provide sufficient transparency to parents/guardians, schools, and future employers concerning allegations involving student welfare.

More broadly, these circumstances raise important policy questions regarding whether existing practices may inadvertently enable the educational equivalent of “passing the trash,” whereby individuals associated with serious allegations remain eligible to continue seeking employment involving children despite unresolved concerns or a lack of public disclosure regarding the underlying conduct.

Kreyco believes that any failure to follow established clearance procedures raises serious questions regarding student safety, administrative accountability, and compliance with NYCDOE policies.

Efforts to Preserve Evidence and Cooperate with Authorities

Prior to issuing this statement, Kreyco sought to address these matters through the appropriate governmental channels.

The company:

Provided SCI with additional documentation that Kreyco believes is relevant to these matters, including materials that were not requested or addressed during the original investigation;Submitted preservation letters to the NYCDOE, SCI, and Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall requesting that relevant records be preserved; andRequested clarification regarding whether the newly submitted evidence would result in the reopening of the prior investigation or the initiation of a new investigation.

SCI acknowledged receipt of Kreyco’s submission but advised that it could not provide information regarding the status of any investigation. As of the date of this release, Kreyco has not received a substantive response from NYCDOE or the Office of the Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall regarding its preservation requests.

Supporting Evidence

Document Submission to SCIPreservation LettersSCI’s Acknowledgment & Correspondence Regarding Status of Investigation

Questions Regarding Investigative Consistency and Accountability

Kreyco further questions whether investigative and enforcement standards have been applied consistently across different matters.

The company believes that independent review is necessary to determine whether investigations involving public officials, employees, and private educational providers are conducted fairly, objectively, and without preferential treatment.

Public confidence depends upon accountability systems that apply equally to all parties, regardless of position or institutional affiliation.

Call for Independent Investigation

Kreyco calls upon elected officials, oversight bodies, state authorities, and appropriate investigative agencies to review:

Procurement and contracting practices utilized within District 3.Administration and allocation of educational grant funding.The circumstances surrounding the March 2025 SCI inquiry and subsequent contract termination.Central Office oversight of approved agreements.Student safety and personnel clearance procedures.Settlement practices involving allegations affecting student welfare.Investigative standards and practices utilized by SCI.Policies intended to safeguard both taxpayer resources and student well-being.

Supporting Documentation 

Kreyco has assembled documentary evidence supporting the factual assertions contained in this statement and will make relevant materials available to authorized oversight bodies, policymakers, and members of the media upon request.

About Kreyco 

Kreyco Inc. is an educational services organization dedicated to expanding access to quality instructional programming and supporting schools through innovative educational partnerships.

Media Contact

Sean Kreyling
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Kreyco Inc.
(201) 310-9727
skreyling@kreyco.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kreyco-calls-for-independent-investigation-into-nyc-department-of-education-contracting-oversight-student-protection-and-accountability-practices-302810091.html

SOURCE Kreyco Inc.

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Axon Announces Body 5: Next-Generation Camera Built for the AI Era

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Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power of earlier-generation cameras, with upgraded connectivity, audio and battery life to support real-time situational awareness in the field

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Axon (Nasdaq: AXON), the global leader in public safety technology, today announced Axon Body 5, its newest body-worn camera designed to bring more powerful intelligence, connectivity and real-time support directly to officers in the field.

For years, Axon body cameras have helped agencies capture critical evidence and create greater transparency. Body 5 is built to help officers during the call, with information, assistance and backup on the spot.

“Officers shouldn’t have to choose between getting information and watching the scene. With Axon Body 5, they don’t,” said Rick Smith, Axon Founder and CEO. “They capture a license or document with the camera, keep their hands free and eyes up, and get information faster than writing it down and calling it in by radio. An officer fully engaged with the person in front of them, not down at a notepad, is a safer officer and a better-served community.”

Axon Body 5: Built for the AI Era

Built from the ground up for the AI era, Axon Body 5 delivers 25x the AI processing power than earlier generation Axon body cameras, alongside advancements in connectivity, audio, video and battery life. Together, these upgrades give the camera the physical power to run smarter AI features — both today and as new AI tools are developed in the future — while also making it more dependable for officers to use every day. 

For the first time, Axon is also introducing two versions of its latest flagship camera: Axon Body 5 and Axon Body 5 Pro.

Both models feature several key advancements, including:

25x more processing power for AI: A powerful new computing architecture creates the capacity to support current and future AI features directly on the body camera.Enhanced video: Improved video captures clearer evidence across challenging environments, including better low-light performance.Improved connectivity: Seamless connectivity in urban and remote environments – and more precise location capability – helps officers, cameras and remote support teams stay connected when timely information matters most.Longer battery life: 20% more battery life than the previous generation helps keep the camera ready and connected throughout an officer’s shift.

The Axon Body 5 Pro will continue to gain new AI capabilities as they become available, growing along with the AI Era Plan. Additionally, new hardware features include:

A near-focus camera: An additional dedicated camera lens lets officers scan driver’s licenses to check status and search for wants or warrants in seconds, without returning to the patrol vehicle, with relevant information sent to Axon Fusus to support real-time operations.Front-facing speakers: Four additional speakers project even more powerful audio toward the person an officer is speaking with, helping real-time translations from Axon Assistant carry more clearly over heavy traffic or crowd noise. Additional memory: Extra space lets the camera run several AI tools at once, helping officers stay better informed and work faster.

Bringing More of Axon’s AI Era Into the Field

Axon Body 5 helps officers get more out of the Axon AI Era Plan by bringing smart tools right to the scene. Axon’s portfolio already supports public safety professionals across a growing range of tasks. For example, Draft One helps officers turn body-camera audio into high-quality report drafts and Axon Assistant provides voice-based information access and real-time translation.

Increasingly, Axon is also bringing AI into real-time operations.

Axon Guardian is a new category of AI features within the AI Era Plan that was specifically created to work with an officer’s field-based devices – starting with body cameras and in-car cameras – to improve safety. Guardian is designed to flag potential risks as situations unfold and create alerts when additional attention may be needed. Two of the first features include:

Escalation Detection: When an Axon Body 4 or Axon Body 5 camera is activated and recording, Guardian has the ability to detect potential conflicts in real time and create an alert in Axon Fusus. A human reviews the livestream and decides if additional support or action is needed.Approach Alert: When active on Axon Fleet 3, Guardian can detect if the door of a stopped vehicle opens and alert the officer through the in-car display and their body-worn camera.

Combined, Axon Body 5 and the expanding AI Era portfolio demonstrate the importance of AI as a critical resource to assist public safety professionals before, during and after an incident — reducing administrative burden, improving situational awareness and helping protect more lives.

Innovating Responsibly

Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework guides the development of all of its products. Designed with this in mind, Axon Body 5 and Guardian prioritize human oversight and maintain agency control over data. As a key part of the responsible innovation process, Axon’s independent Ethics and Equity Advisory Council was created to help responsibly develop and deploy new technologies with transparency, while aligning with community expectations.

General availability dates for Axon Body 5 and Axon Guardian will be announced soon. Product features and capabilities vary by configuration. For more information on Axon’s current products and services: Axon Product Catalog – Axon.com.

About Axon
Axon (Nasdaq: AXON) is the global leader in public safety technology supporting state, local, federal and international public safety agencies with technology designed to Protect Life. Complementing its mission, Axon’s growing Enterprise market focuses on protecting critical infrastructure and frontline workers across multiple industries including corporate security, hospitality, retail and healthcare. Founder-led since 1993, Axon builds products with transparency and responsibility. From TASER energy devices to today’s connected network of hardware – including cameras, drones, and robotics – cloud software, sensors, and AI-tools, the Axon ecosystem helps seamlessly protect people and places when it matters most. To ensure these technologies align with community expectations, Axon’s independent Ethics & Equity Advisory Council guides the ethical, inclusive, and accountable design of its products and services. Learn more about the EEAC and Axon’s Responsible Innovation framework at Axon Responsibility. 

Non-Axon trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Axon, TASER and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information, visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Please visit https://investor.axon.com and https://www.axon.com/newsroom for more information.

Media Contact:
Kate MacKinnon
Vice President, Communications
press@axon.com

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In HelloNation, Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle Explains a Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design

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The article explains why smart geometry, not thicker walls, creates stronger, more efficient aluminum components.

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What early design choice causes many custom aluminum projects to become heavier, costlier, or harder to manufacture? That question is addressed in a HelloNation article featuring insights from Custom Fabrication Expert Mark Coyle of American Custom Metals, Inc. in Rochester, New York, that outlines how misunderstanding aluminum behavior leads designers to rely on thick walls instead of stronger geometry.

The article begins by explaining that many people assume thicker walls automatically make aluminum parts stronger. It notes that aluminum does not respond to wall thickness the way steel does. Instead, its performance is shaped by how the metal flows through the extrusion die. The article states that custom aluminum design is more effective when profiles use ribs, chambers, and flanges to create stiffness without adding unnecessary weight. This guidance helps readers understand why adding material often increases cost without improving strength.

The article also highlights that thicker walls change how aluminum moves during extrusion. When heavy areas fill more slowly, the metal cools unevenly and can develop stress that only appears later. The HelloNation piece explains that well-balanced geometry keeps extrusion smooth and predictable. This consistency makes it easier to maintain dimensional accuracy across long production runs. By focusing on geometry, custom aluminum design avoids the problems that come with slow extrusion speeds and uneven cooling.

Another insight in the article centers on how ribs and internal supports influence stability. It describes how a thin wall supported by a properly placed rib often performs better than a thick wall with no reinforcement. This happens because the rib helps distribute load, improve stiffness, and guide the aluminum as it cools. The article explains that this structural approach makes custom aluminum design more efficient and gives designers more control over how the final part behaves under pressure.

The article also shows why early collaboration between designer and fabricator prevents costly changes. It states that a fabricator familiar with extrusion can catch potential issues before a die is built. Small adjustments to corners or transitions can remove weak points or improve metal flow. The article notes that this teamwork keeps the design aligned with real-world production. By working together early, both sides reduce the risk of redesigning the die after the first test run.

Machining is another area where the article explains how wall thickness affects performance. Features such as deep pockets or sharp internal angles may require slow feed rates or special tooling. When walls are thicker than needed, those areas can become difficult to machine cleanly. The article states that thoughtful custom aluminum design makes machining more predictable. Small changes, such as adding radiused edges or sizing features to match standard tools, help shorten cycle times and prevent tool wear.

Thermal behavior receives detailed attention as well. The article explains that aluminum retains heat differently depending on the mass of each section. Thicker walls hold heat longer, which increases the chance of distortion during extrusion, machining, or finishing. When a design uses geometry to create strength, the material cools more evenly. This reduces warping and helps long profiles stay aligned. The article notes that stable cooling is important for components that require a precise fit and consistent shape throughout an entire production run.

Cost is also a key topic in the article. It states that heavier profiles increase material use, extrusion time, and tooling needs. A custom aluminum design that relies on geometry instead of mass lowers material consumption and keeps the fabrication process efficient. The article explains that lighter parts are easier to handle, ship, and assemble. This saves money across multiple stages of production and supports long-term manufacturing efficiency.

The article also notes that smart custom aluminum design creates profiles that behave predictably during extrusion and machining. Smooth transitions, balanced wall dimensions, and structural features help reduce the chance of distortion or dimensional drift. These elements also lower scrap rates and support reliable performance. By using geometry instead of excess material, designers build parts that maintain strength without compromising manufacturability.

As the article concludes, it emphasizes that avoiding thick walls is one of the best ways to improve performance and lower cost. It states that the most dependable custom aluminum components come from designs that use structural features to strengthen the profile. When designers understand how aluminum behaves at each stage of extrusion and machining, they create parts that are strong, efficient, and consistent from batch to batch. This approach turns custom aluminum design into a predictable process rather than a series of uncertain adjustments.

A Common Mistake in Custom Aluminum Design features insights from Mark Coyle, Custom Fabrication Expert of Rochester, NY, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is America’s Good News Network, a premier media platform built on the idea that good news travels faster when real people tell real stories. Through its community-focused publications and innovative “edvertising” approach, HelloNation delivers content that informs, inspires, and spotlights the leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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World Young Scientist Summit 2026 Opens in Wenzhou, Zhejiang

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WENZHOU, China, Oct. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report by China Daily:

On October 24, the World Young Scientist Summit 2026 opened in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. The event is hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, and the World Association of Young Scientists. Nearly 800 representatives, including scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries and regions, are attending the summit.

He Junke, Vice President of CAST in charge of daily work and First Secretary of its Secretariat; Lian Yimin, Chairman and Party Group Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences; and Zhang Zhenfeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee, attended the summit and delivered remarks. Yao Gaoyuan, Vice Governor of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government, presided over the first segment of the plenary session.

With the theme “Gathering Talents Worldwide to Create a Better Future,” the summit’s annual agenda is “Global Youth Action in the AI Era: Building a Sustainable Future.” It aims to draw on the insights of young people around the world, deepen international sci-tech cooperation, and jointly address questions about young people, science, the world and the future.

Efim Zelmanov, Fields Medalist and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chen Yunji, Deputy Director of the Institute of Computing Technology, CAS, and Director of the National Key Laboratory of Processor Chips; Mary Garson, President of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; and Lu Chaoyang, Member of the Standing Committee of CAST, Executive Dean of the Shanghai Institute of Advanced Study, University of Science and Technology of China, and Chairman of the Council of the World Association of Young Scientists, delivered keynote speeches respectively on education reform in the AI era, AI and processor chips, young women scientists’ participation in science, and quantum computing. They explored new opportunities for scientific research, talent cultivation, and international cooperation in the AI era.

This year’s summit placed greater emphasis on the growth needs of young scientists, with young talents under the age of 45 accounting for 88 percent of participants. It aimed to build a cluster of international journals, bring together young scientific talent, facilitate a batch of international collaborative projects and advance the application and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements. The summit released the Report on the Distribution and Mobility of Young Scientists in the Field of Embodied Intelligence, launched the World Young Scientist Summit Partner Journal Program and the 2026 World Young Scientist Innovation and Entrepreneurship Growth Support Program. It also published the “Young Scientist Pioneers 2035” list and announced the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award. The awards were presented to four Chinese and foreign scientists.

Chen Tianrun, Founder of Hangzhou Moxin Technology Co., Ltd.; Yuan Yang, Assistant to the Dean of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Information Sciences at Tsinghua University; and two of the 2026 Sustainable Development Young Scientist Award winners, César de la Fuente and Nicola Segata, among other Chinese and foreign young scientist representatives, spoke at the flash-talk session to share their research practices and reflections.

In addition, the conference focused on fields such as future manufacturing, quantum information, embodied intelligence, brain-computer intelligence, environmental science, deep-sea resources, and life and health, and held 12 parallel forums. It also included the “Gravitation π” Future Technology and Concept Products Exhibition and Exchange, local thematic side events, and sci-tech and humanities study visits, further building an interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector platform for youth sci-tech exchange and cooperation.

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SOURCE China Daily

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