The New York City Council is poised to make a significant change that will increase safety for students attending smaller religious and private schools across the city. Nearly 400 of these schools are set to receive millions of dollars in taxpayer funding to hire security guards, reflecting a citywide concern regarding a rise in hate crimes.
On the agenda for approval this Thursday is a bill that lowers the threshold for schools to qualify for the city’s school safety program. Previously, schools needed to have at least 300 students enrolled to qualify for funding; the new bill will cut this number in half to just 150 students. This adjustment is expected to enable close to 384 additional schools to apply for this much-needed financial support.
Councilman Justin Brannan, who is a sponsor of the bill and represents Brooklyn, emphasized that the safety of children in schools should be a universal priority. He stated, “It doesn’t matter what type of school their kids attend, public or private; every New York City parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their children are safe while in school.” This sentiment resonates with many parents who are concerned about their child’s safety, especially given the recent uptick in threats directed toward various faith-based groups.
The city’s decision to broaden this safety program comes at a crucial time when anti-Semitic incidents and other types of hate crimes have reached alarming levels. The funding mechanism aids schools that may struggle to bear the cost of hiring security personnel on their own. Many smaller religious schools, which serve around 100,000 students collectively, have expressed relief at the prospect of receiving financial backing to bolster their safety measures.
Under the proposed plan, the funding dedicated to school security may dramatically increase, with expectations to rise from the current $19.8 million to $40 million, pending approval from Mayor Eric Adams. The anticipated passage of this legislation through the City Council is considered highly likely, boasts a broad coalition of co-sponsors backing it, ensuring that it meets little resistance.
Sydney Altfield, Executive Director of Teach NYS, underscored the significance of this legislative move: “The passage of this critical expansion of Local Law 2 represents a big step in protecting more of our students, including those who attend Jewish, Islamic, and Catholic schools.” She highlighted that ensuring the safety of these students is crucial, particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of faith-based crimes.
This development reflects a growing recognition of the need for increased safety measures in schools, especially those that operate outside the public education system. The initiative to allocate these funds for security not only addresses the immediate concerns of safety but also shows a willingness to support diverse educational environments in the city.
In conclusion, the New York City Council’s move to provide safety funding to smaller religious and private schools represents an important step toward ensuring that all children, regardless of their school affiliation, can learn in a safe environment. By lowering the enrollment requirement for security funding, the council acknowledges the challenges faced by smaller institutions and takes action to support parents striving for the best safety outcomes for their children. In a climate where threats against faith-based communities are rising, such support is both timely and necessary.
