It was more like twenty five years ago when Lakewood schools didn’t make a major issue about tuition. Back then you were dealing with a crowd who considered paying tuition a priority. No one who said they can’t pay was spending money on luxuries. Also thirty years ago the Rebbeim in Lakewood Cheder went on strike for not being paid. Today neither the Rebbeim or parents would tolerate such a situation. So of course there will be more pressure to pay tuition.
Much as I wish community schools were still around I do have to acknowledge that they were not very successful. They end up becoming schools for all those who have issues or aren’t interested in learning. It is important of course to have such a school but truthfully they didn’t disappear because of their successes.