Continuing efforts to ensure the safety of all New Jersey students while in school, legislation sponsored by Assembly members Gary Schaer, Lisa Swain, Chris Tully and Benjie Wimberly to boost funding for security services at nonpublic schools was signed into law on Tuesday by the Governor.
“Keeping all of New Jersey’s children safe is our number one responsibility as parents, leaders in the community, and legislators,” said Schaer (D- Bergen, Passaic). “The allocated funds will double the amount spent on security services, equipment, or technology, and will ensure a safe and secure school environment for all students.”
In FY2019, $286 million of the school funding formula was appropriated for public school district school security aid. On average, each public school receives $205 per pupil.
The nonpublic security budget in the FY2019 appropriations bill provides $11.3 million for Boards of Education to provide security services, equipment, or technology to make certain school environments are safe and secure for nonpublic school pupils enrolled full-time. The new law doubles that amount to $22.6 million.
“School security is important,” said Swain (D- Bergen, Passaic). “We must do all we can to ensure all schools have access to the proper funding necessary to protect all students while in school.”
“Our priority is keeping students safe which requires the proper security measures and the funding to implement them,” said Tully (D-Bergen, Passaic). “All schools must have the tools necessary to protect our children.”
Specifically, the law makes a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Education to increase funding for nonpublic security aid. Under the appropriations act for fiscal year 2019, school districts received $75 per student enrolled in a nonpublic school located in the district for the purpose of providing security services, equipment, or technology. This law increases the funding to $150 per pupil.
“School security funding is an important part of school funding today,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen, Passaic). “This new law ensures that every school in the state can take the appropriate steps to protect their campuses. Students and teachers deserve to feel safe in their schools.”
The measure was unanimously approved by the Assembly and Senate in December.
Thank you Agudah, and Avi Schnall in particular! It’s amazing the amount of work that you selflessly put in to help the tzibur!
It’s so unfortunate that the basic safety that we have become so accustomed to, can no longer be taken for granted and is now a real concern!
This is a tremendous win for our institutions and our children! A big thank you to Gary Schaer and the other sponsers for tirelessly pushing this forward. The Agudah’s Avi Schnall has delivered again through his amazing collaborative advocacy on behalf of all of NJ and Lakewood in particular! Continued success
While I do think that this is a big win for yeshivas, I find it ironic that the same people who were complaining about the tax hikes applaud this decision. How do you think we are going to pay for this increased security…
bitchu bashem adei ad! the Mir yerushalayim with bla”h 6000. talmidim only a stone throw away from their cousins the Arabs relyi on the protection of the almighty, yidden yidden dont forget who really protects us, all these shtusim mamish will only raise your taxes and make a great pr splash, its time we go back to learning mussar, ay mussar ay yay yay yay mussar ,hachzik bmusar al teiraf!