Lima Christian School Board Approves 2023-24 Budget

While most of our minds are on this weekend’s graduation ceremony and the summer to follow, the Board would like to take an opportunity to share some news with you.

Recently, the Lima Christian School Board and Crossroads Church (the school’s overseeing ministry) approved the budget for the 2023-24 Academic Year. Next year’s fiscal plan totals $1,647,972, an increase of 13 percent over the 2022-23 Budget. Tuition makes up about 85 percent of the school’s income, while charitable contributions account for 10 percent, and other income (such as state reimbursement for mandated services and grant funding) account for the final 5 percent.

On the expense side of the ledger, faculty and staff salaries account for 73 percent of the annual plan, while the remaining 27 percent covers all other expenses (transportation, sports, student supplies, utilities, etc.). LCS continues to be tremendously blessed under Crossroads’ covering that supplies our school with many things that allow Lima Christian to keep our expenses minimal and tuition as affordable as possible to as many students as possible.

The following are some highlights from the approved budget that we think you will appreciate:

  • The school is entering in a three-way contract with the Town of Lima and the HF-L School District to provide a school resource officer from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department. The school resource deputy (SRD) will be a welcome addition and help provide an additional layer of security for our campus.
  • This year’s tuition increase of five percent matches the five percent increase the school was able to make to faculty and staff base pay.
  • The administration is hiring additional staff to bridge student learning gaps and extra educational needs. We are welcoming a 6th Grade Core Teacher, as well as a remedial writing and math instructor.
  • Parents will be pleased to know that we have contracted with a new, more comprehensive, and user-friendly software package to replace the Sycamore system.

Finally, we want to highlight a few of the many things that LCS has been able to accomplish in the last few years.

First, realizing that it is our faculty and staff that make the ministry of Lima Christian School possible, the Board has been striving to make our salaries more competitive with other private, Christian schools in the area. Lima Christian’s ability to attract and retain excellent staff requires that our pay scale better reflect what others in ministry-minded education provide. While we still have a way to go, we are pleased that we have been able to increase faculty and staff base pay by over 32 percent in the last four years.

Second, we have completely overhauled and replaced our outdated computers with current machines that are better equipped for today’s educational demands. In addition to this, the school increased its ability to monitor and protect students while online.

Third, we were able—through God’s grace and in partnership with many special donors—replaced one of the school’s two vans. The new van has been well received by the students, coaches and staff that have appreciated a roomier, more comfortable, and more reliable mode of transportation for field trips and sports events.

These are only some of the ways in which we see our Lord continually provide for Lima Christian School.

Should you have any thoughts about what has been presented, you can reach Principal Britton via email or at (585) 624-3841. The Board can also be reached via email.

To God be the glory!

Lima Christian Board Approves School Resource Officer

Student safety and security is a top concern for many of our families. Your student’s safety is also a priority of the Lima Christian School Board.

In recent years, Lima Christian has invested significantly in hardening our school. Now, we are prepared to take the next step. At last Thursday’s meeting, the Board voted to approve a plan that will provide an armed school resource officer (SRO) for the 2023-24 Academic Year.

The proposal involves a three-way, cost-sharing agreement with the town of Lima and the local public school, Lima Primary. This novel, public-private partnership will allow the three entities to partner with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in contracting to provide a full-time SRO who would split his or her time between the two schools and be available for priority calls in the town of Lima. Having a law enforcement officer stationed in Lima would dramatically reduce response time and increase public safety for the entire community.

While the LCS Board has already voted to approve the funding for this endeavor, the Lima Town Board has scheduled a public hearing to receive community input regarding its share of the funding. That hearing will be held on Tuesday, June 6, beginning at 6:15 PM at the Lima Town Hall (7329 East Main St., Lima, NY 14485). Interested parties (particularly Lima residents) are encouraged to attend and voice their support for this plan. It is expected that Lima Primary will also host a public hearing prior to authorizing funds for its portion of the proposal.

Should you have any thoughts about this or any other matter, you can reach Principal Britton via email or at (585) 624-3841.  The Board can also be reached via email.

We Pray for Covenant School

The news out of Nashville is devastating.

Covenant School, a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, is a private, faith-based school of approximately 200 students and 50 staff in Nashville, Tennessee. Yesterday, a former student of the school, in a mass shooting, took the lives of three current students and three staff members.

This has been a subject of prayerful concern among our faculty and staff today. We expect it has been among your household as well. Please join us in lifting the Covenant School community before the Lord in this time of tremendous tragedy.

Realizing that we live in a sin-stricken world and that evil can occur anywhere, over the last several years, Lima Christian has taken several steps to harden our school. Some of those measures have included: electronic locks, application of shatter-proof film to entry doors, limiting points of entry, video surveillance, identification-before-entry policies, lockdown drills, coordination with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and increased law enforcement patrols.

Know that your student’s safety is a top priority for Lima Christian School.

Can we do more? Always.

This is why, some months ago, Principal Vicky Britton brought a proposal to the School Board that we contract with East Canyon Security (ECS) to improve our safety and security protocols. The Board unanimously approved this contract.

ECS is owned and operated by Mr. Robert Holt. Mr. Holt is a 10-year law enforcement veteran and school resource officer. He has been partnering with LCS to provide planning, preparation, procedure development and faculty and staff professional development. In fact, Holt, acting in his private capacity, provided an in-depth emergency training workshop at the school’s last professional development day.

Finally, your student(s) has undoubtedly heard some of the reporting regarding Covenant School. They may not yet know how to articulate their thoughts and concerns regarding this matter. Gently, and when appropriate, please check in on your child(ren). While we strive to provide a safe learning space for your student(s) and have a counselor on campus, emotionally your child(ren) may have some things to process that are most appropriate in a home setting.

Should you have any questions, you can reach Principal Britton via email or at (585) 624-3841. The Board can be reached via email as well.

Thank you for your continued prayers for the Lord’s protective covering over the hearts and minds of our students, as well as our physical campus.

LCS Drama Club Brings Magic to the Stage with Disney’s Descendants

Lima, NY— Lima Christian School is pleased to present the musical Disney’s Descendants: The Musical on Friday, March 10, at 7 pm and Saturday, March 11, at 2 pm and 7 pm. The musical will take place at the Honeoye Falls-Lima high school auditorium in Honeoye Falls, NY.

Descendants: The Musical is based on all three Disney Channel original Descendants movies. The stage version features an updated book and boasts a contemporary pop score, including songs from all three of the Disney Channel original movies, including “Rotten to the Core,” “If Only,” “Chillin’ Like a Villain,” and “Break This Down.”

In Descendants: The Musical, Disney’s favorite heroines and heroes live happily ever after in the shimmering kingdom of Auradon. Meanwhile, the world’s most evil villains have been banished to the Isle of the Lost and stripped of all magic and evil power. Ben, the beloved son of King Beast and Queen Belle, is about to be crowned as King of Auradon. When he optimistically invites four trouble-making offspring of the most wicked villains to come to Auradon Prep School as exchange students, it could usher in a new era of acceptance and unity or spell certain disaster. Will Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos–the children of Maleficent, Grimhilde, Jafar, and Cruella de Vil–accomplish their plan to steal Fairy Godmother’s wand and restore their parents to power? Or will they find the strength to choose goodness instead?

“One of the songs in the show says, ‘The road could be hard and the night could be dark, but like stars we’ll shine brightly wherever we are,’” says director Bethany Warsaw. “As we’ve learned during the past few years, we need each other, and we need to work together to bring light into the darkness. This musical shows that we are stronger when we work together, no matter what our backgrounds are, what we look like, or where we come from.”

Disney’s Descendants is recommended for children of all ages and is approximately two hours long with an intermission. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults. They are available at the school office, for cash sale at the door, or online at www.seatyourself.biz/limachristian. For more information, call Lima Christian School at (585) 624-3841 or email bwarsaw@limachristian.org.

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Lima Christian School is a private, faith-based, Pre-K through 12th-grade day school in Lima, NY. LCS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International. It provides academic excellence, a nurturing environment, and a strong community to help students discover their God-given talents and prepare them for a life honoring Jesus Christ.

Thank Your For Considering Lima Christian School

Many people use the final days of a year to make tax-deductible donations to their favorite charities. As you consider charitable giving, we hope that you will consider Lima Christian School.

Lima Christian is predominantly funded through tuition paid by attending families. However, this is not our only source of income. The school holds fundraisers, such as the annual benefit auction. We also seek grant funding. Finally, we do plan on receiving charitable donations. The 2022-23 Budget anticipates about 14 percent of our income will come through tax-deductible gifts.

We can say with confidence that LCS is in a strong financial position. It is due in part to the Board’s leadership and the Administration’s management of the school’s fiscal plan. However, it is also because our greater school community has started considering Lima Christian for its charitable donations in ways that it had not previously. Ultimately though, it is because the Lord stirs the hearts of His people to support this effort.

So, as you think about your end-of-year giving, we remain grateful for your remembrance of Lima Christian School. Online gifts can be made until 11:59 PM on December 31 if you desire to deduct that donation on your 2022 tax returns. Checks made payable to “LCS” must be dated by December 31, 2022 and mailed to: 1574 Rochester Street, Lima, NY 14485.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

A Note From Principal Britton: Unity Is A Blessed Gift

There have been special times and places where God, in His purposes, “commanded the blessing.” Psalm 133 tells us that it is in times of unity that God does this. We, the Lima Christian School community, have been experiencing this season of blessed unity in recent weeks and months. What a joy it is to find ourselves favored by God in this way at this time! It is my privilege to share with you some examples of unity and harmony in the school’s ministry.

The school leadership team has been united in efforts to positively impact the culture and environment around us. We have been focusing on spiritual growth and development through daily encouragement, devotions, online and in person conferences and workshops, and in-house professional development.

Our faculty and staff are harmoniously working to bring relevant, challenging academic programs to our students through a Biblical worldview. We are collaboratively focusing on supporting and encouraging students in their spiritual journeys, enabling them to stand for truth in love, and helping them to know God and to glorify Him in all they say and do. We are striving to help students build a firm foundation in God’s word to stand for truth in the current culture. Some of the new ways we are doing this are through our keyboard recording studio, Just Show Up Book Club, Intro to Theater, soccer and basketball clinics, voice lessons, and work study opportunities. To support all these efforts, our school board is united in its commitment to continue to upgrade employee salaries and benefits.

Our wider community of alumni, parents, and friends of the school is growing in unity as well. At our Homecoming weekend in September, we welcomed LCS alums from 20 different graduating classes! Also, we are blessed to welcome two new school board members: Mr. David Sieling and Mr. Lee Teitsworth. In addition, we are seeing a new level of excitement for volunteering, as we develop a parent ambassador group and increase participation in the annual benefit auction.

While unity is a blessed gift from God, we know that we are also directed to maintain the unity that He has given us (Eph. 4:3). We are committed to doing this! We so appreciate the opportunity that you all are giving us to participate in raising up this next generation of LCS Saints! We also rejoice that we can continue to request, and trust that you will continue to prayerfully supply, the very necessary financial support that enables us to Love, Learn and Lead together.

May you and your family have a Merry Christmas.