As the new school year gets underway, I want to share a perspective from someone who works as a school administrator in a local Lakewood mosad.

Tuition is not simply a recommendation, a nice thing to pay when it is convenient, or something that can be pushed off indefinitely. When a parent agrees to a tuition amount and a payment schedule, that commitment needs to be taken seriously.

Our schools operate on very tight budgets. Contrary to what some may assume, schools are not making millions of dollars. Every dollar in the budget represents salaries, classroom expenses, utilities, supplies, and countless other costs needed to be mechanech our children.

We would never expect a plumber, contractor, doctor, or any other service provider to do their job and then tell them, “We’ll pay you whenever we get around to it.” Yet somehow, when it comes to our children’s schools, the same standard is not always applied.

If a family is genuinely struggling financially, that is a different story. Schools understand that circumstances arise, and communication can go a long way. But simply not paying tuition according to the agreement, without communication or a plan, is not fair to the school, its staff, or the other families who are keeping up with their commitments.

As we begin another school year, I hope we can all recognize that paying tuition on time isn’t merely a recommendation. It is a commitment — and one that should be honored.

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