“We did it,” said Councilman David G. Greenfield as he thanked fellow Council Members and advocates who have been tireless supporters for school security at non-public schools over the last 21 months since Greenfield introduced his legislation. Greenfield’s bill, known as Introduction 65, will move through the Council in the next few weeks and take effect on April 1, 2016. The legislation creates a school safety program for non-public schools with 300 or more students, giving each school at least one security officer upon request. Larger schools will receive an additional security officer for each 500 students. The officers, who must be licensed and work for a licensed agency, will earn prevailing wage as determined by state law. The agreement caps the spending on the program at $19.8 million in the first year and allows for future increases as needed based on the growth of the program.

“Nothing is more important than our children’s safety. This legislation recognizes that every child, regardless of where they go to school, deserves to learn in a safe environment. I am especially grateful to Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and my 44 colleagues who co-sponsored my legislation. I thank Mayor de Blasio for recognizing the security of all school-children and taking a bold step in protecting the most vulnerable New Yorkers. Finally, this could not have happened without the unwavering support of students, parents, school administrators, labor organizations and advocates from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths who strongly advocated for this protection. I especially want to thank the OU/TEACH-NYS initiative, 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 & Queen, the Islamic Schools Association and SEIU 32 BJ labor union for all of their support,” said Council Member David G. Greenfield.

“We applaud the mayor and the City Council for coming together on legislation that will ensure non-public school students are safe and secure,” said SEIU 32BJ President Hector Figueroa. “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.”

“Every student needs a safe environment in which to learn,” said Chair of the Committee on Public Safety Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “As biased and nonbiased related violence rises on campuses and in classrooms around the country, it is essential we find creative solutions to maintain security in all our schools. The safety provisions Int. 65 will provide to non-public schools meeting certain criteria will make our non-public schools, and by extension our City, safer for students, parents, and educational professionals everywhere. I thank Council Member David Greenfield for his tireless leadership on this effort and thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for recognizing the need to protect the public safety of all children.”

“Educating our children in a safe environment is of utmost importance. Islamic Schools Association commends Councilman David Greenfield for his leadership and commitment to providing Private Security Officers in Non-Public Schools. Our sincere thanks to all the City Council Members who supported Intro 65. We applaud Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Mayor Bill De Blasio for their support in ensuring the safety of all children,” said Rafeek Mohamed, President of Islamic Schools Association.

“Kudos to Councilman David Greenfield for his persistence and perseverance on behalf of the children in NYC’s nonpublic schools. Agudath Israel is pleased to have been a supporter of this issue from the beginning,” said Rabbi David Zwiebel, Executive Vice President of Agudath Israel of America.

“I am very pleased at the news of a deal concerning passage of Intro 65. Thank you to the mayor, the speaker, and to Councilman Greenfield, in particular. This bill will help secure nonpublic schools and keep our kids safe by providing them with the resources that are already offered to public school students,” Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools at the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn.

“Religious communities are facing especially heightened concerns in the wake of so many horrible events around the world. It is crucial that all students are protected regardless of what kind of school they attend, and now they will because of the leadership of Councilman David G. Greenfield, Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito and the entire City Council. Thank you for making the safety of our children such a priority,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union.

“I am extremely gratified that the New York City Council and Mayor Bill de Blasio were able to negotiate a deal that will increase security in non-public schools,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York. “Council Member David G. Greenfield and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, showed tremendous leadership in helping bring this landmark legislation into law.”

“We are pleased to have played a role in this historic and unprecedented agreement. We applaud Councilman Greenfield for his tireless advocacy and unwavering effort to ensure that every child can receive the same security protection regardless of where they go to school. We are thankful for his leadership, and grateful to Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito for their support,” said Avi Spitzer, Executive Director of Sephardic Community Federation.

“With this landmark legislation New York City is making a bold statement that the safety of every child is important–no matter what their background is or what kind of school they attend. With security threats looming around the world and in New York City, now is the moment to make this important investment in the safety of our young people,” said Council Member Mark Levine, the Chair of the Jewish Caucus.

“Every child who goes to school in New York City should be safe when they are in school,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. “Intro 65 will make a safe space for all children, and I am proud to work with Council Member Greenfield and the New York City Council to make it happen.”

“All students deserve to have safe, protected and supportive learning environments free of fear or harm. The agreement reached by the Council and the Administration is an innovative approach that will safeguard public resources while ensuring student safety in schools. This is a victory for all parents, teachers and students that will heighten public and school safety across the City,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.

“Every child in New York City deserves to be in a safe school environment. As members of City government we have an obligation to ensure that the educational environment of New York City’s Schools is maintained while protecting the safety of each student. This is a terrific safety measure that is an essential step towards safeguarding our children as we cannot ignore the vulnerability of our schools, public or non-public. Thank you Council Member Greenfield, Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for your leadership on this issue,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen.

“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 Council Member Mark Treyger.

“Whether they attend public or non-public schools, all children deserve a safe and secure learning environment. This legislation about fundamental fairness and recognizing that the need to protect our most precious assets is paramount.” said Minority Leader Steven Matteo.

“As Chair of the Subcommittee on Non-public Schools and a member of the New York City Council Public Safety Committee, the security and safety of all NYC students continues to be my highest priority. I am extremely gratified that Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito strongly support this new security initiative and I thank my colleague Councilman David Greenfield for his leadership and determination in seeing this important bill through to its implementation,” said Council Member Chaim Deutsch.

“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,” stated Council Member Rafael L. Espinal.

“Every student in our city, no matter where they go to school, deserves to learn in a safe environment,” said Council Member Rory I. Lancman.

“The issue is clear-cut; ALL children have the right to learn and study in a safe environment. School Safety Agents provide a critical measure and sense of security, and children in non-public schools should not have to go without this protection,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “We cannot politicize this issue and continue to compromise the safety of a large population of our kids.”

“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 Council Member Robert Cornegy.

“Government has an indisputable responsibility to protect children from physical harm. It is an imperative that we protect children in their school, irrespective of the status of the school,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

Currently, every New York City public school, no matter the location or risks are protected by NYPD school safety agents. Meanwhile, non-public schools that educate approximately one in five New York City students, have no comparable security guarantee. With the enactment and implementation of Greenfield’s law, most non-public schools including Catholic schools, Yeshivas and Muslim schools will have comparable security to public schools. The historic legislation will afford hundreds of thousands more New York City parents well-deserved peace of mind. The legislation will also create as many as 500 new prevailing wage jobs, helping to close the income gap and security gap at the same time.

(AP)