New Jersey Assembly Votes Unanimously in Favor of Nonpublic School Security Funding

Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudath Israel’s NJ director discussing the importance of the security bill with Senator Peter Barnes D(18); Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-18); Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-36); Assemblywomen Nancy Pinkin (D-18) and school leaders and administration at the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison

“The Secure Schools for All Children Act” Bill A-2698, which allocates $144 per nonpublic school child unanimously passed the New Jersey Assembly yesterday by a vote of 74-0. The bill allocates a total of $20.9 million to be used by nonpublic schools for security personnel and for enhancing security measures to protect their students.

Agudath Israel’s New Jersey office engaged in a statewide grassroots effort promoting the bill and, over the last few weeks, organized community events with local legislators and community leaders in Deal, Elizabeth, Marlboro and Edison/Highland Park. These events have proven to be very influential in encouraging many legislators to support the bill.

Senator Peter Barnes D(18) and Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. (D-18) speaking with the fifth graders at the Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison

“Agudath Israel is very grateful to the Assembly leadership for their strong support and to bill sponsor Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D – Passaic) for spearheading this effort. This vote made a very strong statement that the New Jersey Assembly recognizes the importance of ensuring that all New Jersey children are able to attend safe and secure schools,” said Rabbi Avi Schnall, Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey director. “Our community will now focus its energy and efforts on the Senate leadership, and ask them to show the same support we’ve seen in the Assembly.”