By Jessica Easthope
Religious and private schools across New York City are celebrating a major victory: on Dec. 19 the New York City Council passed a bill allowing non-public schools with 150 students or more to be reimbursed for a security guard.
Cheers were heard on the steps of City Hall as a looming vote to make 384 schools safer took center stage in the City Council chamber.
The bill is an expansion of an existing law that allows non-public schools with 300 students or more to be reimbursed for a security guard. Now the number of students has been reduced to 150, covering 42 Dioceses of Brooklyn schools, including three high schools and 39 elementary schools.
“It shows that we work together and that when we’re at our best, no matter what we call our God, that’s when we can say we’re a society that cares about people,” Superintendent of Diocese of Brooklyn Schools, Deacon Kevin McCormack, tells Currents News.
He was there to support the bill’s passing, with the vote coming just three days after a student and teacher were killed at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin. It was the 327th school shooting so far this year.
“Anywhere you look, you’re going to see these horror shows that are going on. This is going to make a difference,” says Deacon McCormack. “This is one extra layer to bring safety to our kids. And for that, we have to say thank you to the City Council and to all those who are supporting this bill.”
“Here you have something tragic like that happening at a school in Wisconsin, a small Christian faith based school. It’s heartbreaking,” explains Deanna Philippe, principal of Cristo Rey High School in East Flatbush, Brooklyn. “So we are deeply grateful to the City for this opportunity as every student, no matter where they are, deserves to be safe.”
Philippe had testified in front of the City Council on behalf of the Diocese of Brooklyn earlier this year. She says a security guard will not only improve the physical safety of her students and faculty, but their mental health as well.
“I couldn’t tell you just how excited we are and how relieved we are at Cristo Rey Brooklyn that we’ll have some security guards available on staff to help keep our community safe,” she adds.
The bill, which passed in the City Council Thursday Dec. 19, is expected to be signed into law by New York City Mayor Eric Adams within the next 30 days. It will take effect in July of 2025, and security guards will be at their posts by the start of next school year.