1. School Council Workshop
6/27/2018 W E L C O M
School Council Workshop
Fall, 2017
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@evdiocatholicschools
Welcome
We need Catholic School Boards more now than ever – We appreciate you attending tonight.
Our goal for tonight is to provide you with an overview of the responsibilities you have as a board member.
We invite you to ask questions during the presentation.
Introductions: If we start on time, introduce yourself to someone near you that you do not know!

2. Opening Prayer Mrs. Megan Howington, Principal of St
Opening Prayer Mrs. Megan Howington, Principal of St. Philip Catholic School

3. General Session
A Successful Merger

4. Presenters: Breakout Sessions
Meet the Experts!!

5. Bishop Priest/Deacons Superintendent Principals School Councils
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Bishop
Priest/Deacons
Superintendent
Principals
School Councils
Diocesan Structure
“We all work at the pleasure of our Bishop!”
Our Bishop, since he cannot be in all 12 counties at once, appoints priest to act as the canonical leaders of the parish. The Bishop also appoints the Superintendent to guide the schools in the diocese.
Each school has a principal and to assist that principal we have school boards! That brings us to why we are here tonight!

6. Be it known to all who enter here that
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MISSION
Be it known to all who enter here that
CHRIST
is the reason for our schools. He is the unseen but ever present teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.
-Author Unknown
Read – the statement
Statement is in all schools!
Our primary focus is providing an academic education where students are formed in the faith.
Taking the faith dimension out of the mission or not having it as the number one priority leaves you with just an academic education – this is not acceptable for our schools!
We must continue to ensure that our Catholic identity is strong!

7. School Council Governance
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School Council Governance
Pastor – Chairman of the Council
Principal – Administrative Officer
Council Chair & Other Officers
Other Members and Committees

8. Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Evansville
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Located in 8 of the 12 counties
26 Schools
7,100+ students receiving a faith based education
Over 600+ faculty and staff
Who we are!
Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Evansville

9. Role of Catholic Schools Office
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Provide counsel
Communicate policy and regulations
Interviewing/hiring of new principal
Approve hiring and retention of principals
Communicate issues and concerns
Maintain Personnel files
Coordinate the Application process
Implement the policies of the diocese
Provide counsel and assistance to principals, pastors, and school boards.
Communicate diocesan policy and state and federal regulations regarding schools.
Provide assistance for interviewing/hiring of new principals.
Approve hiring and retention of principals.
Communicate issues and concerns to pastors, principals, and boards.
Maintain and update personnel files of school employees.
Provide for the application process of teachers, staff, and substitute teachers for schools in the diocese.
Implement the policies of the diocese.
Role of Catholic Schools Office

10. Membership Number Elected or selected or combination Term
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Number
Elected or selected or combination
Term
Code of Ethics
Needed Membership
Orientation of new members
Continual Education
Terms should expire so that not everyone leaves the board at the same time. Example 1/3 with three year terms is a suggestion.
Orientation is strongly suggested BEFORE they agree to serve.
Code of Ethics is included in your packet of materials.
Membership

11. What is a Consultative Council?
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What is a Consultative Council?
A council that operates in the policy-making process for formulating and adapting, but never enacting policy.
The constituting authority establishes those areas where the council is to be consulted.
There are four types of Boards:
Jurisdictional…legislates and controls
Limited Jurisdictional…limited areas of controls
Consultative…formulates policy – not enacting
Regulatory…enacts Public schools have regulatory boards
Our church has only two appropriate models for us to even consider: Limited Jurisdictional and Consultative.

12. Characteristics of Effective Councils
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Characteristics of Effective Councils
Top 10 Characteristics!!

13. Outside of Council’s Jurisdiction
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Outside of Council’s Jurisdiction
Regulations
Diocesan Policies
Cases involving students
Cases involving faculty/staff members
No exceptions in these areas.
We can not discuss the evaluations of our teachers or support staff.

14. T o p S e c r e t Confidentiality 6/27/2018
We only tell one person – right? which means we still keep confidential. At least that is what many of us think
What about our spouses?
Because his or her public and private opinions take on added weight with parents and others in the community, the board member must maintain the confidentiality of the board and should make comments in public which are positive, constructive, and helpful to the board’s mission. Board member should not voice rash opinions, spread rumors, or gossip, or make public remarks that would be harmful to the board and the educational programs.

15. Four Aspects to Policy Formulation Responsibility of school council
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Four Aspects to Policy
Formulation
Responsibility of school council
Enactment
Function of authority – Pastor
Promulgation
Policy is distributed
4. Implementation
Responsibility of Principal

16. When/How Do Policies Get Developed?
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When/How Do Policies Get Developed?
10 easy steps to perfect policies!
In your packet of materials you will find the 10 steps:
Determine the Need
Identify issues/facts
Gather data
Draft the Policy
First Reading
Consultation
Second Reading
Approval
Enact/Promulgation
Follow-up

17. Executive/Closed Session
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Executive/Closed Session
When an executive session for the Council is called:
Minutes of the meeting are NOT recorded.
Information shared and discussed during the meeting is not to be shared with anyone outside of the meeting.
This is an area where many boards have a misunderstanding. Should not be used often or for long periods of time.
Principal’s Evaluation is a good reason for this session!

18. Some people think they weren’t heard if they don’t get their way!
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Handling Complaints
Some people think they weren’t heard if they don’t get their way!
Difficult Issue
You can make no decision on your own. Don’t tell anyone you have that authority
Ask if person has spoken to the teacher or principal
If not, suggest they do. Do not take it upon yourself to do that.
If they do not get satisfaction, understand this: Some think they weren’t heard if they don’t get their way!
Remember that it is the principals’ role to handle the issues.
The principal oversees the operation on the school.

19. Expectations the Council should have of the Administrator
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Expectations the Council should have of the Administrator

20. Expectations the Administrator should have of the Council
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Expectations the Administrator should have of the Council
The Administrator should expect the Council Members to:
Do you remember this principal?
Refer all complaints both oral or written to the principal.
Refraining from responsibilities on personnel issues, student issues, policy implementation and other duties assigned to the principal.
Share talents: financial or business for example; marketing is another.

21. Important Tips for School Council Meetings
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Important Tips for School Council Meetings
Agenda – created by the board president and principal.
Consider mailing it out or ing it to everyone at least one week in advance.
60 – 90 minutes – Have ending times!
Best for all students not YOUR student

22. 6/27/2018
Thank you for being faith-filled volunteers who make a difference in our schools!
As I stated at the beginning of the meeting –
Catholic school boards are needed now more than ever!
Thank you for sharing your time and talent.
I will now turn the meeting of to Mrs. Priar to talk about the handouts in the folder.
Please complete the evaluation sheet and place it in the box by the front door as you leave.