Finance Committee

The Lord is good all the time, but we often don't take time to realize it, so He smacks us right in the face with His goodness.

The Finance Committee met last night to review the proposed budget for this coming year. No, things are not rosy, but as I listen to the news of Shawnee Mission schools closing and major universities shutting down major sports like baseball, I am reminded that we are all upheld by His mighty hand, and He will accomplish His purposes no matter what the economy around us is doing.

We have a proposed budget that is balanced and starts to put in place measures for addressing significant needs like a reserve fund and deferred maintenance. Dr. Daugherty and his staff work diligently to plan in a wise manner yet know that in all things God is in control.

There are several keys to a balanced budget: enrollment (net loss of 6 students K-12, still over 500 total), giving (the auction netted over $25,000) and managing expenses (they have done a remarkable job to date). Our need to replenish text books hit us this year, so that expense almost doubled over last year, but most of our expenses are very much in line with what we experienced last year. We continue to look for ways to provide for our teachers - both in salaries and benefits. We are praying earnestly for God to provide in this area.

Two topics that the Finance Committee would like to respond to from the feedback provided by our Maranatha family last year through surveys and forums were around cost and funding improvements. In later posts and in the Maranatha Matters, we will strive to provide insight and plans for managing and addressing this feedback.