Surviving and thriving in hard times: We have choices, Maki says

Sometimes during our lives, each of us will face difficult times. Some of us seem to have more of them, and some of our hard times are harder and last longer than others. However, there is no escaping the rough spots in the road we walk as we live our lives. 

What is most important is how we respond when the tough times come. Three choices are available to us. We decide which to select and face the consequences.

We can decide to fight, letting our anger build and our resentment grow at life’s having treated us so poorly. However, this choice is likely to leave us beaten and bitter as forces over which we have no control continue to disrupt our lives and sap our energy.

We can decide to play the role of victim while we pull inward, allowing life to buffet us around and pass us by. 

This choice, however, can leave us feeling weak and powerless, with our self-confidence gone. We are left questioning our worth and our ability to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

Our third choice during difficult times is to engage ourselves in activities that help us grow in understanding and that help us identify opportunities to maintain some level of control or influence over the situation. This choice recognizes that we may not be able to control the forces that impact us, but we can remain in control of how we respond and what we choose to do about our circumstances. 

Further, we are likely to discover new opportunities and create options that otherwise would have gone unnoticed and been unavailable for our use. This choice in response to difficult times is likely to leave us feeling more in control and even stronger when the difficult times have passed.

Libby School District No. 4 is faced with a significant budget shortfall for school year 2013-2014. 

The additional revenue required to maintain our current staff and programs is between $610,000 and $780,000.

I believe it is important for everyone to understand the factors leading to our budget shortfall.

• Loss of 73 students (State funding is per student)

• Health insurance increase ( 10 percent )

• Utility-rate increase

• One-time money is depleted

• Inflation

The District has discussed the budget at several public meetings. 

Since state accreditation is required, we are developing a plan to cover a portion of the shortfall. 

The following reductions are being considered:

• Staff reductions (5)

• District and building supply budgets

• Activities

• Maintenance

In order for the school to maintain a Quality Educational program, a levy may be required. 

For more information, please call the district Superintendent’s office at 293-8811 or email sda@libbyschools.org.

(K.W. Maki is superintendent of Libby Schools.)