Effective School Board Operations and Building Partnerships Presented by Dr. rosemary j. henry Superintendent of Catholic Schools Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo

Topics Regional Board Composition and Committees Committee Reporting Principal/Board Communication Board Evaluation Professional Development for Boards Building Partnerships

Perspectives “Catholic Schools are national treasures and they must be preserved”. Margaret Spellings Former U.S. States Secretary of Education “It is the responsibility of all Catholics to support Catholic schools”. USCCB

Purpose of Regional Board Committees To aid the school in responding to its mission to the Church To expedite the business functions of the school To provide an organized and orderly process for addressing school issues To perform strategic planning for the sustainability of the school

Composition of Committees Share time, talent and treasure Diversity of membership-gender, age Representative of the cultural diversity of community Special expertise and wide array of gifts/skills (careers and professions) University, business, social agencies, parish, alumni, legal, finance, building and construction Composition matrix (template)

Standing Committees Executive Budget and Finance /Audit Facilities Strategic Planning Advancement (public relations, enrollment management, fundraising, alumni relations, grants) Education including technology

Ad-Hoc Committees Nominating Mission, Philosophy, and Vision Principal Search Sports

Committee Forums The important work and planning of the Board should be completed in Committee Forums—not during Board meetings Procedures Each committee should complete a planning worksheet (see template). Each committee should present a written report during Board meetings (see template).

Principal /Board Communication Educating the Board Modeling open communication Updating Board on topics: Catholic identity, academics, religious education, enrollment, new programs, successes, challenges Essential Elements of a Principal’s Written Report (template Impact: Board members are informed and can spread the Good News about the school. Board members become ambassadors for the school.

Board Assessment and Evaluation Highly effective Regional School Boards do not just happen! Effective Boards result from an assessment process that includes: 1.Standards 2.Evaluations 3.Development Plans

Board Assessment and Evaluation Priorities All members of the Board and administration must be involved in the assessment/evaluation process. The assessment and evaluation process is to be conducted annually.

Purpose of Assessment and Evaluation To strengthen Board performance and effectiveness To provide the platform for planning efforts To help the Board to play a vital role in the school’s ability to fulfill its mission

Assessment and Evaluation Tools Discussion Questions for Regional Board (template) Evaluation standards (template) NCEA Measuring the Mission Evaluation (provided)

Findings and Outcomes for Board Evaluation Members commitment to the work of the Board is revived Meetings become more focused and therefore more productive Members’ roles become more clearly understood Committees accept definite tasks and accomplish them

Training and Professional Development for Boards Exceptional Boards invest time and resources in ongoing Board development. Membership in Boards and Councils NCEA Webinars Webcasts Wikispaces Conference calls with other Boards or consultants Board Publications

Board Training and Professional Development Each school deserves an effective Board – now - more than ever. Information for Boards: (800)

Building Partnerships Community partnerships are a win-win relationship for all. The community becomes invested in Catholic schools. The community becomes ambassadors for our schools. The students learn the importance of service and gratitude. Partnerships (template)

Challenges for all Regional Boards To keep our schools Catholic To provide a high quality education in a nurturing environment To keep our schools open, accessible, affordable, viable and vibrant To foster partnerships between parishes, the school and the community To pray for God’s help---we are not alone.

Going for the Gold Standard in Regional Boards Goals established by each committee SMART Goals Specific, measurable, attainable, results oriented, and time bound Strategically prioritize goals with Principal and Canonical Administrator Backward Design- start with the end in mind Develop action steps

Gold Standard Recruit and engage committee members to achieve goals Committees present written reports on a regular basis highlighting goal progress Examine SWOT Celebrate successes Examine support provided to the Principal—spiritual, physical, emotional, material, sounding board The silver and the bronze are only second and third…Jesus only wants our best…We must go for the GOLD!

To Teach As Jesus Did A Model for Boards Jesus spread the Good News. As a Board how do you spread the Good News about your school? Jesus walked among the people and surmised the needs. As a Board how often do you attend school activities?

To Teach as Jesus Did Jesus taught by example and promoted Gospel values. As a Board how are you ambassadors for Christ through your ministry and work? How do you promote your school?

To Teach As Jesus Did Jesus taught through story and parable. As a Board what academic and spiritual formation stories can you share with the community? Jesus talked to the masses and led them to believe in HIM. As a Board what families have you lead to the school and to believe in its mission?

To Teach As Jesus Did Jesus engaged people of all ranks and classes. As a Board how successful have you been in recruiting people of diverse rank, skill, gifts and ethnic background to serve on committees?

To Teach As Jesus Did Jesus encouraged others to live a life of faith, love, and hope. As a Board how have you worked to ensure a hope filled vibrant future for your school? As a Board how have you contributed to a faith filled and nurturing environment?

To Teach As Jesus Did Jesus worked miracles. As a Board do you tell the story of how your school works miracles in the lives of its students?

Question The Notre Dame Task Force on Catholic Education questioned: ‘Will it be said of our generation that we presided over the demise of the most effective and important resource of evangelization in the history of the Church in the United States?”

Reflection “Will it be said that our generation lacked resolve to preserve this national treasure built upon the sacrifice of untold millions?”

Reflection “Will it be said of our generation that: We abandoned these powerful instruments of justice that provided educational opportunities and hope for families otherwise trapped in poverty?”

Reflection SURELY NOT! When the story of Catholic schools is written historians will look back on our age and marvel that against great odds--- WE CHANGED THE ENDING.