In conflicts with school hanhala, the Rebbe would direct students and parents to submit to their authority and work things out with them.

In the early 5720s, Mrs. Devorah Butman a”h served as principal of the Beis Rivka High School in New York.

One winter, the daughter of a wealthy donor traveled with her family to California in the middle of the school term without permission from the hanhala. When they returned, Mrs. Butman informed them that since she had left without permission, the girl could not return to school.

The decision quickly caused a stir, and people pressured Mrs. Butman to reconsider. Did she realize who the girl’s father was? But the principal refused to bend on principle.

Around that time, the philanthropist entered yechidus and raised the matter with the Rebbe. The Rebbe, however, defended the principal’s decision and instructed that an apology be made.

With the message conveyed, the girl was welcomed back to school.

(As related by her son, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Butman, during her shivah)