The checks are cut and the money is waiting for nonpublic school administrators to complete the process to obtain security funding.
Assemblyman Sean T. Kean (District 30) along with Senator Robert W. Singer (District 30), Assemblyman Dave Rible (District 30), and officials from the New Jersey State Department of Education held a public information session at the District 30 Legislative Office, Lakewood, for local private school administrators and staff to help them get a better understanding about how to obtain funding for security services, equipment, and technology, with the goal to ensure a safe and secure school environment for nonpublic school children, elementary through grade 12.
Assemblyman Kean said, “In light of some of the terrible events we’ve read about in the national media and some of the tragedies at several schools, it’s imperative that we take measures to protect all of our school children by furthering their security.”
Senator Singer said, “Keeping our children safe is always our number one priority. What’s good about this funding is you can decide what makes the best sense for your school. Security is something we all deeply care about.”
Assemblyman Rible said, “As a former police officer, I have seen firsthand the importance of implementing effective security measures. Unfortunately, tragic incidents have illustrated that we can’t take the safety of our schools for granted, and I am pleased this funding is available to help protect the children and staff at our nonpublic schools.”
Assemblyman Kean introduced several officials from the state of New Jersey to answer questions about the required steps needed to get the funding so each school can design its own program. The officials in attendance were Jessani Gordon, director of the Office of Interdistrict Choice and Nonpublic School Services; and Ben Castillo, director of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning of the N.J. Department of Education.
Gordon said the checks have been cut and allocated to the public school districts; however, there is a specific process to secure the funding. For instance, the public school district is responsible for consulting with the nonpublic schools to determine what their individual security are, and both parties needs have to agree on the security measures to be funded.
Examples of such services, equipment, and technology may include alarm services, video surveillance systems, ID cards, installation of bullet resistant glazing, and access control systems for remote locking and unlocking, among others.
Such security services, equipment, and technology may be provided directly by the board of education, by contracts with an educational service commission or an independent contractor. All security services, equipment and technology provided under this program must be used for secular, non-religious and non-ideological purposes.
The following important documents are available on the New Jersey Department of Education website http://www.nj.gov/education/nonpublic/state/security.htm. 1) General guidelines for administering the N.J. nonpublic school security aid program 2) Timeline of requirements 3) A consultation form. Consultation between public and private school administrators must take place no later than the end of October. The public school district then has to go to its board, get approval by the end of November, and then submit purchase orders for implementation.
Public and private school administrators, business administrators, and county special services agencies are urged to attend one in-depth technical assistance session throughout the state on either October 14, 15 and 26 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. so public and private schools fully understand their responsibilities. The website about the technical assistance sessions is http://education.state.nj.us/broadcasts/2015/SEP/29/14107/NonPublic%20Aid%20Training.pdf.
Assemblyman Kean said, “We are hoping this project grows and provides more resources for nonpublic schools.”
For questions or more information about this program, contact Kate Gamberg, chief of staff, office of Assemblyman Sean Kean, at 732-974-0400.
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