College insists future secure
YESHIVA College this week reassured the community it was on a sound financial footing, following claims that it was behind on payments to some of its teachers.
YESHIVA College this week reassured the community it was on a sound financial footing, following claims that it was behind on payments to some of its teachers.
It’s understood that some members of staff hadn’t been paid their full salaries for a number of months.
However, on Sunday, communal philanthropist Harry Triguboff stepped in with a sizeable donation.
Asked whether all teachers’ salaries had now been paid up to date and if teachers would continue to be paid their full salaries until at least the end of the academic year, the school declined to comment, saying it had received legal advice against disclosing teachers’ payment arrangements.
However, it did release a statement that claimed, “The school can confirm that given our current financial situation and projected income streams, we will, with the grace of God, continue to operate and thrive not just until the end of this year but indeed for many years to come.”
The spokesperson also told The AJN that “a number of donors” came to their assistance, but Triguboff insisted he was the only one. “There are no communal donors,” Triguboff told The AJN on Monday. “I am the only one, don’t worry about the rest.
“I gave him [Yeshiva spiritual leader Rabbi Pinchus Feldman] money yesterday. I haven’t stopped giving them money for 25 years.”
In a statement from the Yeshiva Centre, the institute paid tribute to all its donors, in particular “life governor Harry O Triguboff AO for his ongoing support”, as well as its “amazingly dedicated staff whose commitment and dedication are both admirable and remarkable”.
Meanwhile, adding to the school’s woes, torrential rainfall caused significant flooding to its premises at 36a Flood Street, Bondi, on Wednesday, April 18.
“The damage was significant and, among other things, offices were flooded, computers were damaged and it was deemed a danger to use the electricity in the entire building until the electricity boards were fixed and safe,” the Yeshiva Centre said in a statement. “The school made a decision to delay the start of term 2 until electricity was restored and the building was sufficiently repaired.
“This would ensure that the classrooms were in order and that the administration was able to resume operations and assure proper care of students.”
After Triguboff gave the school money and the issues relating to the flood had been resolved, the teachers and students returned to school on Monday.
Most students were able to return to Flood Street. However, the school’s playgroup has temporarily relocated to Chabad Double Bay during the repairs.
JOSHUA LEVI
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