Mike Sligh, Lakeland Christian School, Lakeland, Florida
Unless you’ve been living under a very large rock this fall, you have been besieged with talk about the economy. Anxiety, uncertainty and the cold reality of economic slowdown are touching all of us in some manner.
We are all looking at our family budgets to see where we can control costs. Many folks have told me that this is proving to be a healthy exercise for their family and they are seeing some clear benefit to these belt-tightening efforts.
At Lakeland Christian Schools (LCS), we continue to make this a serious priority. We are adjusting to the increased overhead expense of an additional 71,000 square feet of facilities coming on line. All departments have already gone through rounds of budget review and belt tightening. Although LCS budgets have a historical pattern of being lean and efficient in our use of funds and personnel, we are renewing our effort to be even better stewards of the resources entrusted to us.
When we look for spending cuts in our family, we look for expenditures which leave us with little lasting benefit. When we’ve spent our money for an entertainment activity, paid the cable TV bill, paid more than necessary to eat out, or finished the last cup of gourmet coffee, what do we really have to show for it? What lasting value is there to show for our purchase?
We also look for purchases that we can postpone until later. Drive the car longer, wear the suit another season, sit on the same couch, extend the use of the computer or other electronic device rather than insist on the latest and the greatest model. We try to determine which purchase is really urgent and which one can wait.
As re-enrollment time approaches, we realize some of our families are facing hard questions about the feasibility of continued enrollment at LCS. In this day of cost cutting, let me offer the following considerations:
When resources are limited, it is more important than ever to invest in something that will have appreciating value over the long haul. The impact of Christian schooling in the heart and mind of the student may not be obvious in the short term. The cumulative, incremental influence of godly teachers working to instill a love for learning about both the Creator and the creation can be profound. The longer these incremental investments are poured into the life of the student, the greater the dividend.
Determine what investments are time sensitive. We have only one opportunity to educate our children. They are school age today, not ten years from now. Even though our financial situation may be brighter in several years, the children are in school now. Long after the current economic downturn is over, the influence of Christian schooling during these times will remain.
There will always be the temptation to pull out of an investment when there is a short term downturn. Perhaps your student’s recent experiences at school have been disappointing. A demanding curriculum, teacher or coach presents unfamiliar challenges. Relationships in the peer group take a turn for the worse. Experiencing these or similar hard times can tempt parents to leave the school rather than to stay and work to strengthen the partnership with the school staff. The greatest dividends await the investor that will not be swayed by occasional downturns but will stay the course over the long haul.
I do not pretend to speak with disinterested impartiality on this topic. I am convinced of the value of Christian schooling in the lives of a young person. I know the reality of financial sacrifice to provide this for my own children and would do it again without hesitation. It is a worthy investment that deserves priority in times of tough choices.
We can expect that these economic times will dictate that some families will have to leave LCS. That is of great concern to us. We are increasing our financial aid program for next year to try to keep the Christian school accessible to as many families as possible. It would be wonderful for those who can, to assist other families in need by contributing to the school’s scholarship fund. We want to keep our school family together and to add more families to our school community.
Lastly, we must continually be reminded that our hope is not in a political or economic system. Our hope rests ultimately in our Sovereign Lord who does all things well. He has demonstrated His love toward us in Christ, has spared not his own son on our behalf and has raised him from the dead. He has given us new life and the hope of resurrection (Romans 8). As we move through tough times, let’s resolve, not just to be financially prudent, but to fix our eyes on the Savior who promises wisdom (James 1:5), guidance (Psalm 32:8) and hope (Romans 13:15).