I think some ” out of towners” don’t understand NY. In Boro Park or Flatbush, a 2 bedroom apartment usually goes for about $1300. 3 bedrooms are about $1800. We aren’t not talking about mansions here. It’s also not terribally cheaper further out. Also, will the school send buses furthor out?
I would say that most women work these days. Frum baby sitters could run up to $10/hour. For women who are paid minimum wages, well, you figure it out. Does it pay for her to work? Oh, and what kind of frum upbringing are all these children getting from the baby sitters? Just asking.
Back to the issue. There aren’t 100 girl’s schools of equal hashkafos in the Brooklyn area. I dont think there are 100 girls schools in Brooklyn at all. My brother-in-law is an administrator in a small Bais Yakov. The classes are already about 30 girls/class. You want to put more in there and expect them to learn? Our schools are crowded because most schools DO cut costs by having one less paralel class and by not building.
Bottom line, as I see it, many parents have lost jobs recently with the economic downturn. I go into stores and I see less customers which translates into stores losing money which translates into layoffs or being paid less. Or stores not being able to pay at all. The economic downturn means that the big donors who have taken big hits don’t have money to donate like they used to. Some people insinuate that the parents of BYOB don’t want to pay. I look at empty stores and I can tell you that for the most part I don’t beleive that is the case. People are hurting. To pay more tuition when you can barely pay for rent, food and utilities makes no sense to me. Home schooling for everyone is impractical. Most parent can’t do it and besides, most women work.
The answer? I’m not sure. It would certainly help if everyone in Brookly sent in some money. Your own school goes first, but this is pretty important. I don’t really have an answer. I think we have a lot of devening to do this Rosh Hashana. Hashem should watch over us and help us.
Sorry that this is so long.