Lakewood girls' schools may delay opening due to placement crisis

Girls' elementary schools in Lakewood, New Jersey, may face a delayed start to the academic year due to an ongoing school placement crisis. Local rabbonim are reportedly considering reinstating a longstanding community policy that prohibits any girls' school from opening until every child in the community has secured a placement.

While the number of girls without school placements has decreased from approximately 60 to 21 following intensive efforts by local askanim and school administrators, finding space for the remaining students remains difficult due to acute classroom shortages.

The proposed policy, which was previously active during the tenure of Rav Matisyahu Solomon, the Mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoah, emphasizes collective responsibility among the community's mosdos. Under this arrangement, schools are expected to work together to resolve all outstanding placements before the school year officially commences.