Dozens of philanthropists and roshei yeshiva gathered in Lakewood last Sunday to attend a Torah U’Mesorah event seeking to increase the salaries of morahs in Lakewood and across the United States.
The roshei yeshiva and rabbanim in attendance included Rav Yaakov Bender; Rav Elya Brudny; Rav Hillel David; Rav Yosef Eichenstein; Rav Reuven Feinstein; Rav Aharon Feldman; Rav Dovid Goldberg; Rav Shlomo Halioua; Rav Dovid Harris; Rav Chaim Yehoshua Hoberman; Rav Shmuel Kamenetzky; Rav Malkiel Kotler; Rav Shmuel Levin; Rav Mordechai Respler; Rav Gershon Ribner; Rav Dovid Schustal; and Rav Shlomo Feivel Schustal.
Over $20 million has been pledged so far to a fund that would help schools pay their female teachers more – an initiative that has been received to kudos and wide acclaim across frum communities.
In addition to the Teacher’s Fund, a New Teacher Recruitment program is being set up to vet top teaching talents, and will help motivate young women to go into teaching. Nearly 50 schools have already signed up to the New Teacher Recruitment program, with their existing moros set to have their salaries increased by way of the teaching fund in exchange for the school’s involvement.
The event was held at the home of Lakewood baalebus Chuny Herzka.
Beutiful idea . But now the schools are raising tuition to cover the increase. This happened with the initiative to raise salary and give Rebbeim simcha bonuses. After the funds ran out, the schools that were part of the initiative jacked up tuition.
Teachers can’t continue to be paid below minimum wage. If it means raising tuition a little to help cover it, then so be it.
The schools should open their books.
They spend money like drunken sailors.