Catholic Education Councils: Limits and Latitude: Exploring the possibilities of models of school governance

What we will cover today: l Collegiality in the Church l The Catholicity of the Council l How the Council functions l What the Council does l Some further considerations

Why Councils? l Vatican II documents l Concept of lay ministry l Ownership/stability l Financial advice l Develop/defend policy l PR l Assist administrator

Catholicity l Authority from Bishop l Philosophy from Gospels l Ministry in parish, diocese l Consensus, dialogue, charity l Formal/informal prayer l Vision of the faithful

Nature of Councils l Juridic: non-parish, legal person l Limited jurisdiction: usually private,non-legal entity, limited by canonical authority l Consultative:non-legal, give advice, non-binding, must be consulted

Impermissible Areas l Grievances l Hiring/firing/supervision l Curriculum development l Approval of materials l Regulation l Discipline

Public vs. Catholic l Juridic l Levies/spends l Hires/fires l Curriculum l Instr.materials l Grievances l Discipline l Consultative l Non-binding l No hiring/firing l No curriculum l No instr.mat. l No grievances l No discipline

Internal Functions LEADERSHIP: Willingness to stand out from the crowd MEMBERSHIP: Representative, Selected, Length of term,size, expectations, who may NOT serve DECISION-MAKING: consensus, not vote AGENDA: make-up, distribution, moving it, place of prayer, inclusion of items MINUTES: taking them, distributing them, importance, other records COMMITTEES: importance, types, committee work

Committees l Standing: finance, bldgs/grnds, student life, development, membership l Ad hoc: as needed l Make-up l Working

What does the Council do? lSlStrategic planning, including budget lPlPolicy lDlDevelopment lElEvaluation

Strategic Planning l Annual goals, objectives, activities, projects l Long-range goals, objectives, activities l Monitoring of the plan, goals l Avoidance of Crises

Managing the Budget l Finance committee plans the budget l Submits it for approval l Monitors throughout the school year l Works in conjunction with parish council, finance committee

Policy: a Guide for Discretionary Action l Comes from the Council l Gives direction to the administrator l Sets a tone l Translates vision into action l Avoids crises

Policy cannot: l Control or supervise administrator l Resolve problems after the fact l Address isolated or petty items l Substitute for programs

Policy: a guide for discretionary action 1. Faculty meetings are to be held regularly 2. Parents are expected to be involved in their children’s education. 3. All field trips are to be of an educational nature. 4. Students will not be allowed to do door-to-door solicitation during school fundraisers.

Regulation: mandates procedure l Comes from the administrator l Outlines implementation of policy l More specific than policy l Meets the goal of the policy

Regulation: mandates procedure 1. Faculty meetings will be held the 3rd Wednesday of each month. 2. Parents will attend all parent-teacher conferences. 3. The principal will approve all field trips. 4. School personnel will send home notification of the ban on door- to-door solicitation at the beginning of each school fundraising project.

Origins of Policy l Persons l Opportunities l Problems l Conformity to state, municipal statutes, diocesan directives l Planning

DEVELOPMENT l The council is responsible for the development program l Some councils recommend the hiring of a development director l The council’s involvement is direction, not the activity itself.

DEVELOPMENT l Public relations l Locating sources of non-tuition income: bequests, annual fund, capital campaign, endowment l Recruitment of students l Promotion of the school

Evaluation l Annual retreat l Evaluation of internal functions l Evaluation of external functions l Evaluation of the council relationships

Relationships l Pastor l Administrator l Parents’ organization l Other parish organizations

The pastor l Canonical representative l Promulgates all policies l Is present for meetings l Is ex-officio member of the board

The Principal l Is ex-officio member of the council; l May serve on a committee(s); l Sole conduit to the faculty; l Writes regulation; l Provides timely information; l Expects mutual support.

The parents’ group Concretizes the vision of the Council

The Council and the HSA l Plans programs l Dev/app. Budget l Forms policy l Evaluates rel. to administrator l Insures quality Catholic ed l Plans/supports programs l Fundraising l Helps in regs l Cooperates w/administrator l Enriches/supple ments Cath. ed

Effective Meetings l Start on time l Be prepared l Chair directive l Follow the agenda l Set a time limit for discussion l Make decisions l End on time

Effective Meetings l Work toward consensus l Everyone contributes l Avoid “parking lot meetings” l Use small groups l Write things down l Make conflict “win-win”

Some further thoughts... l Councils should avoid micromangement; l Councils need to remember their boundaries; l Councils need to be serious about responsibilities; l Councils need to be aware of their potential.