Top photo caption: NJ state house, Getty image
By David Karas, Correspondent
With the state’s proposed budget failing to increase much-needed funding to support nonpublic school security, Catholic school leaders and advocates across New Jersey are urging supporters to contact their legislators – particularly those serving on budget committees.
“Faith-based schools continue to operate in an environment where religious institutions are increasingly targeted by acts of hatred, extremism, and instability. Catholic schools cannot ignore that reality, and neither can the state,” said Bonnie Milecki, diocesan assistant superintendent for school development and operations.
“Security funding helps schools strengthen entrances, improve communication systems, coordinate with law enforcement, and prepare responsibly for emergencies,” said Milecki. “At its core, this is about ensuring that every child can learn in a safe environment grounded in faith, stability, and community.”
Earlier this year, Catholic education and diocesan leaders across the Garden State joined the New Jersey Catholic Conference to support increasing funding for nonpublic school security from $205 to $260 per pupil in the state’s next budget, which takes effect July 1. Funding was first awarded in 2016 as part of the Secure Schools for All Children Act and reflected the importance of supporting security at both public and nonpublic schools.
Milecki explained that the current push for increased funding comes amid incidents across the country that highlight the importance of schools enhancing security. “We have seen attacks and threats directed at Catholic schools, Jewish schools and mosques across the country, including recent incidents involving faith communities in places like San Diego,” she said. “New Jersey’s own threat assessments continue to identify faith-based institutions as potential targets.”
While N.J. Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s budget address referenced protecting schoolchildren, her proposed spending plan for the next fiscal year holds funding for nonpublic school security at $205 per pupil – the same level as the past four budget cycles. Past funding has been used largely to make infrastructure improvements like “target hardening.” The focus among schools now includes hiring security guards to protect facilities while students and staff are present.
“Catholic schools are facing the same security realities as every other school in New Jersey, but the costs of keeping students safe continue to rise while funding has remained largely flat,” said Milecki. “Schools are being asked to do more, with more sophisticated security expectations.”
With the proposed budget now in the hands of the State Legislature, advocates encourage Catholics and supporters of nonpublic education to contact their representatives in the State Senate and General Assembly. While legislators expect to hear from lobbyists and advocacy organizations, Milecki – who is also president of the New Jersey Council for American Private Education – emphasized that hearing from the families, educators and community members who they represent carry a lot of weight.
“Parents need to make sure that legislators know that they expect prioritization of the safety and security of their children in Catholic Schools – as they would expect it for any child, in any school,” she said. “For us, this is not political. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that Catholic schools can remain safe places to learn, pray, and grow.”
“When constituents share why school safety matters to them personally, it reminds policymakers that these are not abstract budget lines,” she said. “These are real children, real schools and real communities. Catholic schools are deeply rooted in their local communities, and when those communities speak with a united voice, legislators listen.”
The New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops, issued an Action Alert on the topic, and offers its Voter Voice System as a way to make it easier to contact one’s legislators: https://www.votervoice.net/NJCC/Campaigns/137489/Respond