Following years of persistent advocacy by the Orthodox Union – Teach NYS, the New York City Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of Introduction 65-A Monday afternoon, a bill to fund school security guards covering nearly 200,000 of New York City’s nonpublic schoolchildren. The bill, a top priority for the Orthodox Union – Teach NYS, will set aside nearly $20 million to protect schoolchildren from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and other nonpublic schools. The legislation now awaits Mayor de Blasio’s signature.

“Now more than ever, with families increasingly concerned about security, all kids deserve a safe learning environment and this bill helps provide that,” said Maury Litwack, Director of State Political Affairs for the Orthodox Union. “We commend Speaker Mark-Viverito, Councilman Greenfield, and the New York City Council for voting to protect all of our schoolchildren, regardless of where they attend school.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)