Joseph:
Saying “ask your Rav” and “follow Halacha” is always good. Don’t you want people to follow Halacha? Or do you want people to follow their emotions and not Halacha? I hope the former, as the latter would make someone (not you of course:) a Machti.
It was not a Shaila, it was a speech to give to the local instituitions over those outside, even though they send desperate “the sky is falling” letters (I imagine the one sent by BYOBP counts, unless Mepal was right:) I don’t see how this is any different, especially noting that Mepal has stated the school will not close in any event no matter what. (Too Big to Fail?)
Also please rephrase your last paragraph. I do not understand the question (you may have an extra “if”), and please define “basic needs”. That is getting to the heart of the question (see my post to AZOI on previous page).