NYC to Protect Nonpublic Schools

By COLlive reporter

The Orthodox Union (OU) commended an agreement with the New York City Council to expand security for schoolchildren by funding security guards at nonpublic schools.

The agreement with Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Council Member David Greenfield, and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito caps more than 2 years of grassroots advocacy by the Orthodox Union’s Teach NYS urging the City to better protect all its students.

Introduction 65-A, sponsored by Greenfield and to be voted on in early December, will provide at least one security guard to non-public schools with 300 or more students. Larger schools will receive additional guards.

Guards will be registered and trained pursuant to state law and will have to be referred by a state licensed security guard agency. The law will also require that the guards are paid the prevailing wage.

The law will cap spending on the program at $19.8 million in the first year and allow for future increases as needed based on the growth of the program and increases in the prevailing wage.

“This first-of-its-kind program in New York City is going to help keep more of our children safe, regardless of what type of school they attend,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to lead on this landmark public safety measure and we look forward to its implementation.”

“Nothing is more important than our children’s safety,” said Council Member David Greenfield. “This legislation recognizes that all children, regardless of where they go to school, deserve to learn in a safe environment.”

“As security is increased in light of recent events and religious communities face especially heightened concerns, it is especially critical that all students are protected regardless of what kind of school they attend,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union.

“This bill is a great example of what we can accomplish when our community becomes active and advocates for critical programs. I am grateful to Avi Lesches for working with OU-Teach NYS to mobilize the Crown Heights community and looking forward to working together going forward for the benefit of all of our children,” said Jake Adler, Director of New York State Policy for the Orthodox Union.

“The local Crown Heights schools and community are especially grateful to Maury Litwack and Jake Adler for their support and guidance over the last few months as we worked on advocating for this vital legislation,” said Avi Lesches, a community activist who has been working with the OU on this legislation.

Rabbi Hershel Lustig, Dean of Educational Institute Oholei Torah in Crown Heights said: “It’s heartwarming to hear that, at last the safety and security of Yeshiva students (and other private schools) has become a concern to the City Council. I applaud its members for acting so quickly to alleviate the fears of parents and students, and to ensure the safety of a considerable segment of New York City’s population.”

“We were very pleased to hear the news that the City of New York has approved the non-public school safety legislation “Intro 65.” Thank you from all the students, staff and parents,” said Rabbi Zalman Wilhelm, administrator of Bnos Menachem girls school in Crown Heights.