Following publication of the proposed state budget for the next fiscal year, Assemblyman Gary S. Schaer, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, criticized Gov. Chris Christie for deleting $9 million in support for non-public schools, much of that earmarked for security funding.

Christie�s proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget eliminates funding for the �Secure Schools for All Children Act,� which he signed into law in September. In decrying the governor�s proposal, Schaer cited the numerous recent threats to Jewish institutions in New Jersey and nationwide.

�It is disconcerting that the governor ostensibly supported providing funding to secure non-public schools just months ago, but now, in the midst of repeated threats to New Jersey�s Jewish institutions, he eliminates it,� said Schaer (D-Bergen/Passaic). �Any parent who ever has had to drop a child off at school in the morning knows how important it is to be able to rest assured that the school is safe.�

The �Secure Schools for All Children Act� established a state aid program to provide security services, equipment or technology to help ensure a safe and secure school environment for students attending non-public schools.

The state appropriated $7.5 million in funding for the program in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget. The Democratic budget originally included an allocation of $75 per student to each school district in the state for non-public school security, but Christie reduced the amount to $50 per student. In contrast, the per-pupil allocation of security funding for children at New Jersey�s public schools is $144, Schaer noted.

�Every child � regardless of the school he or she attends � has the right to a safe learning environment,� said Schaer. �It�s bad enough that non-public schools receive less funding to ensure their students� safety as it is. The notion of eliminating that funding altogether simply is unacceptable.�

(YWN Desk – NYC)