Religion and Profit

I happened into a conversation with the principal of my children's school.   They attend a private catholic school in I guess what you would call a smaller inner city.   There are only about 400 -450 students which makes for about 200-225 families-ish.

The school is not overly expensive - we pay under $800 per month for both of them to attend.  For the most part I love the school.   We did not choose it for the religious aspects as we as a family rarely (okay never) go to any organized church.   It is more because the faculty really seem to care about the students and I liked their approach to teaching/reading.  Also very small class sizes.  I do think it is important that the kids have a religious background.  I as a child went to CCD but my parents never went to church so neither did us kids.  My hubby's family was a "church" family but 1) He got kicked out because he baked pot into some brownies for a fund raising event and 2) Hubby's dad was cheating on the mom with a member of the church choir.  Okay - so much for being all pious.

I was at the school this summer with Z-Toad who I felt would benefit from having some extra reading / grammar /phonics over the summer.   During some of these visits the principal would come sit with me to chat while I waited for him.   Up until that point I was quit sure she had no use for me.   You know the type of person that one day says "Hi" to you but the next time you see them you could be buck naked covered in honey and they would walk past with not so much as a nod?   That is her.   I like her - she is everything a principal should be - and when I am around her I feel like I am back in school again myself.   Smile and nod is my motto.  Sometimes my mouth totally ignores my brain yelling at it to stop.  Safer to just smile.

During one particular conversation we were talking about the economy.  She said that the school was actually not full for the coming year and they were still "woo'ing" outside students.  That conversation turned to the tuition, how it was pretty reasonable, and that over 50% of the students get some sort of financial aid.   Hmph - really?   The financial aid form is riddled with "place of worship" questions so I am guessing money would not be tossed in our direction.

THEN she says how last year there were at least 40 - FORTY!! - families that came to her and couldn't pay their tuition cause of lost jobs/income.   Now I thought - god, that is awful - I would hate to be in that position.  So I make what I thought was a safe comment, "That would be terrible to have to pull your kids out of their school."

She says "Oh, I don't tell them to leave."   I really really really had to bite my lips, tongue, AND cheeks to keep from saying..... "SAY WHAT???"      I know it is sad - really, really, REALLY I do get it.   So after some awkward silence she says "When I get to those pearly gates, I am not going to have to answer for kicking kids out."  Honestly  I said nothing - every business/entrepreneurial/conservative bone in my body was slowly shattering.  

First - Is that the WORSE thing she has to explain for when she dies?   Dear God - I am So. Very. Screwed.
Secondly - The school is still a business, right? There are costs involved.   Forty families I would think make up at least 20% of the school.  Yikes!!!  What number family is the tipping point?  I bet the teachers wouldn't stay if they didn't get a paycheck.     

Isn't it possible that god also understands a profit margin??

Hugs~
Tracie