Private Programs and Government Funding

A reader kindly wrote me today asking me to comment on the 4th school closing in Lakewood (turns out the second school to close has announced it is re-opening under new leadership in the same location. I have yet to figure out this works out in terms of numbers since it seems that none of the facts on the ground have changed, behind on payroll, same building/same mortgage).

If you have been reading some of the Jewish news sites (the blow-by-blow is at TLS), you might have run across a rather intriguing and confusing episode which I will attempt to piece together with some commentary below. Those who do not live in the tri-state area, particularly one of the more insular NY/NJ communities, will once again be rather surprised to find out about all the government funded goodies that are enjoyed by those who simultaneously scream about the massive property tax rates that they pay and the discrimination against private school students.

For a number of years, the Lakewood Board of Education has outsourced pre-school and special education programs. Starting this summer, the State of New Jersey, upon review of outsourced programs, made it clear to the Lakewood Board of Education that it would not continue to fund preschool programming (at a tune of $4 mil), should the Lakewood Board of Education continue their contracts with certain outside providers that did not pass muster. The Lakewood BOE voted to discontinue such contracts and bring the special education in-house. The BOE believes that outsourcing (at least outsourcing to these schools) was not a responsible and efficient use of taxpayer money.

The timing, as in the other school closings, couldn't be worse. One program, frequented by a good number of frum parents, which goes under the name Tiny Tots simply closed its doors. Many Lakewood Tiny Tot parents are irate, even going to such (inappropriate) lengths such as holding a midnight protest in front of one BOE member's home. They are up in arms that FRUM board members would shut down "THEIR" program and force their children into PUBLIC SCHOOL. Employees and spouses are irate that the BOE, in these difficult times, would put a number of people in the kehilla out of work.

Here is my take: Like it or not, their children were enrolled in public school, but because the Lakewood BOE had outsourced pre-school services, parents were able to "have their cake and eat it too." Government funding essentially created a "frum" private school and parents were happy to have the government paying for their children's therapies and daycare, within a private environment. And until the State came to take a good look at the program, where they expressed concerns about the curriculum and facilities, everything was rolling along just fine.

But as we all know, when you aren't paying your own way, there is no such thing as "private"; strings are always attached. Certainly there was more freedom to include a Jewish education within the pre-school programming, but in the end, the program was accountable to the state because it was not independently viable. As one BOE member stated, "While they [parents who were receiving full time day care] were able to have the amenities of Tiny Tots at a reduced rate due to the profit made by Tiny Tots from the BOE contract, I don’t think the BOE is responsible to provide them with full day day care. If Tiny Tots closed down because they can’t turn a profit from that portion of the business, why should we be held accountable? "

Which brings me to another observation---their seems to be some confusion amongst commentors about the responsibility of the BOE members. While these members are often elected because of a cost cutting/tax cutting agenda, I think that the Orthodox community fantasizes that public programming cuts will be cut, while the community will see an increase in government goodies. Ultimately, BOE members have a fiduciary duty to represent the best educational and financial interests of all those who reside in the School District. And in this case, Board Members had to preserve a budget over the jobs and profits of owners and employees of an outsourced programs.

I feel terrible for the parents who have had the rug pulled out from under them, seemingly without warning. But amidst the yelling about PUBLIC SCHOOL and hurting people in the community, I think it is important to understand how government funding works. Should vouchers ever become a reality, as so many people hope for, be prepared for more of the same. There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Attn: PA Voters

I have a lot to say about the upcoming election and don't know if I will get around to it. But, in the meantime, a good friend asked me to post this. So, I'm hoping that I have some Pennsylvania readers who will be interested. That said, don't forget election day is coming up soon, so make sure you mark your calendar.
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For Immediate Release
October 26, 2006

For more information contact:
Virginia Davis 215-528-9368
http://by113fd.bay113.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto=1&msg=CB9078B5-01F3-4C55-9BB3-47A2A3C4C0EC&start=0&len=445574&src=&type=x&to=virginiad@ricksantorum.com&cc=&bcc=&subject=&body=&curmbox=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&a=7d3e84dd286333ea4ee20f9f5ccb34b8bdd607f0267bee7b8e799dcdc48a0a10

JEWISH LEADER URGES JEWISH FAITHFUL TO VOTE "FOR THOSE WHO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY"

After meeting with Senator Santorum, Philadelphia-area sage with worldwide following issues proclamation on duty of voting

PITTSBURGH -- Earlier this month Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) met with the revered and world-renowned Rabbi Shmuel Kaminetsky, Dean of the Talmudical Academy of Philadelphia, member of the Council of Torah Sages, and son of famed Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetsky, of blessed memory.

Senator Santorum was honored to have the opportunity to discuss with Rabbi Kaminetsky issues of mutual interest, among them school choice (including Senator Santorum's CLASS Act), the sanctity of marriage, religious freedom, the threat of a nuclear Iran, and a safe and secure Israel.

Senator Santorum was deeply moved by the multitudes of educational and social service organizations Rabbi Kaminetsky supports in addition to his relationship with thousands of students who know him fondly as their revered and beloved "Rosh Yeshiva."

Following their private meeting, and ahead of one of the most critical elections ever to be held in the Commonwealth, Rabbi Kaminetsky issued an historic Kol Korei ("proclamation") to all Jews of Pennsylvania. In the attached proclamation Rabbi Kaminetsky notes that previous sages have ruled that it befits each and every Jew to acknowledge his or her appreciation for the freedoms afforded to citizens of the United States by participating in the elections of "our nation of kindness, the United States."

Further, Rabbi Kaminetsky dismissed those who doubt the impact of their individual vote, noting that recent elections have been decided by just a few hundred votes.

"Therefore I urge all members of our community to fulfill their obligation to vote for those who strengthen our nation -- whether materially or spiritually -- and also support our Jewish brethren living in the Land of Israel," he wrote in the proclamation.

After meeting with Rabbi Kaminetsky, Senator Santorum remarked:
"The strength of the Jewish people lies in their quiet faith and their reverence for tradition and heritage. Rabbi Kaminetsky's humanity, compassion, and wisdom inspired me. A community with such leadership is truly blessed. I look forward to Rabbi Kaminetsky's guidance and sage advice in the years to come."