City Councilman David G. Greenfield (Midwood, Boro Park) yesterday lambasted a coalition of organizations opposing his signature legislation allocating $20 million to hire as many as 500 security guards for over 300 non-public schools.
The measure, which passed the City Council, 43-4, yesterday and has the support of Mayor Bill de Blasio and a wide coalition of Jewish, Christian and Muslim private schools, drew a strong letter of rebuke from the coalition calling the measure, “morally unconscionable to consider pouring more funds into private and religious institutions” at a time when public schools are struggling financially.
The letter was signed by Alliance for Quality Education, New York Civil Liberties Union, Urban Youth Collaborative, Coalition for Educational Justice, Dignity in Schools Collaborative, Teachers Unite, Desis Rising Up and Moving, National Economic and Social Rights Initiative, Make the Road New York, and New York Communities for Change – all of whom are major supporters of public schools and are also highly critical of charter schools.
The letter also question’s the bill’s constitutionality, considering that the New York State Constitution prohibits public funding to private institutions where religious tenets are taught.
The sentiment in the letter was echoed byMichael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, who also opposed the bill. “Crossing the line between public and private is something our forefathers were smart enough not to do,” he said.
But Greenfield, an attorney who went to Georgetown Law School, one of the top law schools in the country, said both the letter and Mulgrew are unaware of the facts because non-public schools already get public funding, and have for some time.
“The city already provides bussing for these schools and crossing guards and nurses,” said Greenfield.
Greenfield noted that the measure was a compromise in that it originally called for the city to allocate $60 million and for the security guards to come from the NYPD.
In light of the recent terror attacks worldwide, the passage of this bill has taken on added importance for the as many as 200,000 non-public school children that it will protect. Additionally, the officers, who must be licensed and work for a licensed agency, will earn prevailing wage as determined by state law, said Greenfield.
The agreement also received the support of the public sector union, 32BJ, which usually sides with the UFT and other public sector unions.
“The legislation includes specific training for security guards so they have the expertise needed to work in schools and will also provide good jobs that will strengthen our communities,” said 32BJ President Hector Figueroa.
Among the organizations supporting the bill were the Orthodox Union, the UJA-Federation of New York, Agudath Israel of America, the Sephardic Community Federation, the Catholic Conference, the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens, the Islamic Schools Association, and the Muslim Community Network.
“Parents of nonpublic school children throughout the city will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that, at a time when the world has become increasingly dangerous, their precious children are afforded a serious measure of protection,” said Rabbi David Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America.
Among the Brooklyn City Council Members that vocally supported the measure were Mark Treyger (Coney Island, Gravesend, Bath Beach), Chaim Deutsch (Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Georgetown), Rafael Espinal (Bushwick, Cypress Hills, Oceanville-Brownsville) and Robert Cornegy (Bed-Stuy, Norther Crown Heights).
“As a former educator, I strongly believe that when it comes to school, the only thing that needs to be on the mind of students or their parents is education. Parents should not have to worry about the safety and well-being of their children during school hours. Children and parents deserve peace of mind at school, no matter what school they attend. If all children truly matter as some in government claim, then our policies need to reflect that principle. I applaud Councilman Greenfield for championing this important student safety legislation and scoring a huge victory for kids in the five boroughs,” said Treyger.
“Schools should always be a safe zone for children. Protecting students from harm is an essential component to building a quality school. All schools, whether public or private, should be able to provide a secure environment so that our children can thrive academically, emotionally and socially,” said Espinal.
“New Yorkers prize diversity and understand that we don’t have to believe the same to be dedicated to one another’s safety. I believe strongly that every school in our city should have the level of security needed to keep the building environment and the children therein safe. It was in that spirit that I sponsored Avonte’s Law and it is in that spirit that I proudly express my support for Intro. 65,” said Cornegy.
The law goes into affect April, 1, 2016.
