Tuition Obligations: Feedback

By Rabbi Shalom Ber Schapiro

It was not my intention to write a third editorial on the topic of school admission and tuition and the duties of the school’s financial administration.

But in writing these articles – little did I anticipate their impact. It is clear that these articles raised awareness and shed much needed light on the topic but at the same time – they touched a raw nerve.

The overwhelming response I personally received from so many – obligates me to do something about this issue, an issue which sparked people to comment, to question, to share their personal experiences and to make suggestions. I sincerely hope that by sharing people’s thoughts and feelings – it will bring to positive action and correction.

TO RECAP:

We all want the same thing: 1. That every child should receive a Jewish education and 2. That the school which provides this education should be conducted properly. (Effectively, efficiently and upon the foundations of chassidus).

The focus of my previous 2 articles was by and large on the obligation of the school’s hanhala gashmiis/financial administration – as based on the Rebbe’s talks and letters.

(This does not in any way imply that parents do not have obligations – they certainly do, nor that some do not meet their obligations as they should. Some do not. But parents’ obligation to pay tuition is not the subject under discussion.

The only time it comes under discussion is when it is pointed out that because of the administrations’ not meeting their obligations (for whatever reason), they turn to the parents with pressure and embarrassment to get the funds (which should not be). Parents are private individuals – they speak and do for themselves and when they do something wrong it is they and their children who suffer. Whereas school administrations are not private individuals – they are public servants – a totally different category – whose only obligation is to serve and benefit the people they work for, students and parents. Schools are not made to give administrators, their families and friends nor teachers jobs – schools are made for children! And because these are public servants (a great merit for them as the Rebbe often points out) – they need to be especially careful to deal in an honest and clear way – above any possible suspicion. Even Moshe Rabbeinu gave an exact account of every shekel which he collected from the public!)

Therefore, the main focus of my 2 articles was to point out the obligation of the financial administration – which is to make sure that the material aspect of the school is taken care of (pay teachers and maintain the building) and to bring in funds to do the job with. There are various ways through which they can bring in funds – and all these ways should be utilized. Have they fully exhausted them? Are they in all honesty doing fundraising? If they would fundraise as it should be done – a great majority of their budget would be met. (And the tuition committee would not feel the need to squeeze and embarrass parents to the extent they do– since tuition should never be relied on to cover necessities. The ways in which they pressure and embarrass parents are not only shameful, but at times are sinful).

I would like to share the following shocking comments, personal experiences, questions and suggestions (one amazing one!) from some of the many people who contacted me after reading the 2 articles:

Personal experience: parents related that their children were approached (in the lunchroom, in the classroom) in front of everyone – and told to go home and can only come back with an admission card.

Personal experience: father of a student related that his wife came home crying after her experience with the administration regarding tuition…

Mothers reported that after pleading their case to the administration that they cannot afford so much tuition given the size of their families (b’h) – they were asked: who told you to have so many children?!! (another case): you can get a degree and be able to get a higher paying job!!

Question: I have to open up my books in front of the entire school committee – why can’t the school committee open up their books too, so I can be reassured that they are handling the funds which they are getting from me and from other sources (govt. and others) on behalf of my child – in a proper, efficient and honest way?

Comment: I have my doubts about how the money which the administration brings in is spent… where are they getting the money from? How is it being spent? Is it going to places it should not be going to? Who is overseeing them/the administrators? Where is the oversight? Who are they accountable to?

Comment: (parent) – I would be more motivated to make a greater effort to pay more tuition if I would be convinced that the money the school is getting is being handled in an honest way – with transparency and clarity. I have serious doubts.
Some at the top treat the school as their personal business. And then we wonder why the school is struggling to pay teachers! (teacher salaries should be their first and primary expense – before anyone else gets their paycheck). No wonder they feel a need to pressure and embarrass parents – to make up for the money that should have been and could have been in the coffers.

Question: is it permissible for funds designated for a local school to be given to another, not local, institution? This is clearly a loss for the local community and its parent body – who are legitimately entitled to this money.

Question: do administration members (those getting a salary) pay tuition for their children – now and in the past? Would love to see the books.

Comment: administrations (in some cases) are so blatantly a “family and friends business” – it is their family members and friends who overwhelmingly get the position and the power. They treat the school as their private entity. Vicious circle.

Suggestion: school boards should be chosen democratically by the parent body – why are they not? Why is the requirement to elect board members annually not done? In some cases the power lies in one or two hands, as has been the case for decades – this should not be – דן יחידי – is only the One Above.
Shocking revelation: a huge multi-million dollar scam is being perpetrated by a select group – private individuals – who are running the government funded services through a well known organization and are funneling a great majority of the funds to themselves and their family members and friends. To the great loss of the schools! And to the children! This money is going to private individuals in legitimate- looking ways such as very generous paychecks etc. This is a huge loss to the school – which then needs to squeeze parents! Shame on these scammers. And when the one(s) running this scheme is a family member of one of the board members of the school administration – how much more corrupt can you get?!! There is an obvious conflict of interest. How can this continue to be?! Corruption of the highest level! It is the parent body which is ultimately suffering because of these scammers. If the schools would receive the funds given for special needs children – instead of it going to a third party entity/individual, our schools would be far better off financially. And the parents would not suffer.

Question: why is it that as far as tuition, we see a sad and puzzling phenomenon – some baalei teshuva are not treated the same way as one from a Chabad family or one with connections? They are being taken advantage of more than others – they have no pull and feel they must give in. This is especially troubling and painful – since one would expect a school based on Chabad teachings to be above reproach – and be even more careful and sensitive to the situation of a baal teshuvah.

Comment: I feel there is corruption in the schools. I wish that those in the administration who scammed (and are scamming) the school should be made to pay back whatever is not theirs. This will certainly help the parents who are barely making a living and suffering.

Suggestion: we need an oversight committee – comprised of chassidisher people of all backgrounds. Learned and lay-people, parents and staff, well to do and not well to do. As long as they are trustworthy, honest and chassidish. They obviously need to have a say and their say accepted.

Another suggested committee: A rabbinical board – to serve as arbitrator when differences arise. Rabbonim/halacha should always be consulted and have the last say.

One incredible system!: which was implemented in an out of town yeshivah – was devised by a very honest and hardworking administrator – a system which the tuition committee there uses when dealing with parents in a very honest, caring and respectful manner. Truly commendable.

Personal experience: shockingly, related by more than one parent: children are being “diagnosed” as “special needs” in cases where they no longer need special services and being left back – so that government funding can continue to flow to the school for this child. He is being kept back specifically for this purpose, so that he can continue to “qualify” for the funds! Besides the dishonesty – how detrimental this is for the child, which is the main consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

Many people have expressed their thanks that finally someone is speaking up about this very painful issue. It seems from everything that I have heard from so many people (some are the direct source) – that the main complaint is the questionable ways that some of our administrators are handling the finances of the schools they have been entrusted with to serve faithfully. So many have lost their trust and respect for them as a result. If this offends some of the administrators – this is not my intention. I am only reporting what I have heard and my only intention is that the situation should be cleaned up and fixed asap and parents and children should no longer suffer.

If there would be more honesty and clarity – we would probably not have most of the problems being discussed here.

Administrators cannot use the school for their personal benefits. They need to show the books and be above suspicion. Power needs to be shared by more than one or two individuals. These are public servants who are accountable to the parents whom they serve. And especially our schools – the Rebbe’s schools – need to be on the highest standards both in spiritual and material matters. They should always keep in mind: והייתם נקיים מה’ ומישראל . So that even when one is doing the right thing but is giving the wrong impression – he should rethink his ways so as not to give the wrong impression.

BOTTOM LINE

Is there a way we can clean up the mess? A practical way to revamp a system which has been entrenched for so many decades? A system with so much corruption? So that the school may regain the respect and trust of the parents and the community?

Making changes is difficult – but it is a very necessary part of life when we want to grow and improve. One cannot expect different results when doing the same thing over and over again.

Changes must be made – even if only small steps – let us take these step. Especially now before Rosh Hashanah – a suitable time to make resolutions and changes for the better. Let us be honest with ourselves and above all honest with Hashem.

May we all be blessed with success in all that we do and enjoy abundant blessings b’gur.

K’siva vachasima tova, l’shana tova um’suka.