New York City officials have given the go-ahead to spend nearly $20 million on security guards at private and religious schools.
City Council voted 43 to 4 on Monday to spend $19.8 million to reimburse non-public schools with at least 300 students for expenses to hire unarmed security guards.
The Daily News reports the guards must be paid a union-level wage of at least $18 in order to qualify.
Civil liberties groups oppose the bill, saying the city shouldn't send millions in taxpayer money to religious and private institutions. Critics also say unarmed guards do little to protect against an attack.
But Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito says the measure does not advance religion and is about keeping the children safe.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
