From left to right: Mr. Andy McElaney, Board Chair, Mrs. Susan Krastin, Chair Education Committee, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Puzzo Bailey, Chair Alumni Committee, Mrs. Susan Sullivan, Marketing & Public Relations Committee, Mrs. Priscilla Keough, Education Committee, Mr. Perry Vieth, Chair Finance Committee, Sr. Adrienne Curran, SND, Education Committee, Mr. Matt Connors, Finance Committee.
Not Shown: Mr. David Joy, Finance Committee, Mr. Rob Murray, Chair Facilities Committee, Mr. Mike McConnell, Finance Committee, Father Rafferty, Pastor, and Brother Richard, Principal

SCHOOL BOARD
Introduction

The Catholic school is an expression of the educational mission of the parish with which it is associated and of the diocese. Therefore, the pastor is responsible to the Bishop for the administration of the total parish, including the parish school. The principal functions as the chief administrator of the school and is a member of the parish staff.

Just as the parish council serves with the pastor on behalf of the total parish community, so the parish school board serves with the principal for the good of the school community. Today’s Catholic school principal, with the many demands which are made, needs assistance from a group of people who are committed to the Catholic school and are willing to work for the good of the school and parish.

Rationale

There is a firm theological and philosophical rationale for broader based involvement in the decision-making process in Catholic schools. The Catholic school is an expression of the educational mission of the Church. Ministry belongs to all and involves some of the following elements:

• Shared responsibility
• Dignity of the laity
• Development of community
• Representative structures
• Participative decision-making

Boards and commissions have been an important part of Catholic education for a long time. The Council of Baltimore called them for back in the 1800’s and lay involvement existed even before that, e.g. the sponsored Jesuit schools in 17th and 18th century Maryland. In the latter half of the 20th century, Vatican II ushered in a whole new era. Boards experienced a significant revival in the decade following the Council.

In the mid to late 60’s, when many of you were in school, three reasons were proposed for the existence of boards:

1. The role of the laity and the future of the Catholic schools
2. Financial support from government and community
3. Response to Vatican Council II and a new image for Catholic schools

Vatican II called for more involvement by the laity in the life of the Church. Shared responsibility and participatory decision-making were seen as directions in Church governance. The Church is indeed the People of God. Each baptized person has a responsibility to use their time, talent and treasure for the building of community. Participation in Catholic education is one of the ways individuals can participate in the life of the Church in a significant way. This realization is the first and primary reason for having Catholic school boards, which provide concrete means for people to contribute to Catholic education and thereby build the kingdom of God.

Definition

A Catholic school board is a body whose members are selected to participate in decision-making in designated areas of responsibility. Usually these areas include planning, policy formulation, finances, the selection of the principal, development, public relations/marketing, and assessment of the principal’s relationship with the board.

The consultative boards offer assistance to the pastor and principal. When the board truly assists and advises, the result is more committed and responsible lay support for the school. Consultation implies that the administrators will listen to the advice of the properly concerned body in certain designated matters prior to a decision being made. The operating principle is that administration will not act contrary to the advice given, especially when there is consensus, unless the administrators have an overriding reason. If possible, it is customary to communicate this reason to the consultative body.

Policy Formation

Two major ways in which the board gives direction and advice are planning and formulation policy. Planning gives the board purpose and focuses its energy. Policies convey the mind of the board in critical or sensitive matters that are presented to the administration.

There are three aspects to policy. A policy must be formulated, enacted and implemented before it is accurate to say that policy exists. There should be an assessment of all policies once they have been in place to determine if they are effective.

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School Board members continually support the fundraising efforts of the PTO.

Board members Sue Sullivan, Susan Krastin and Perry Vieth take a moment at the Golf Tournament at the Cohasset Country Club to view the Silent Auction items.