The document discusses the importance of a well-developed consultative school board for Catholic schools. It provides details on effective school board structure, membership, responsibilities, and committees like strategic planning. The goal is to have a board that supports the mission and vision of the school through policy, planning, and evaluation.

1. “The Importance of a Well Developed Consultative School Board
to an Excellent Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Hartford…”
(20†20 Vision: An Eye on Our Future)
ADH School Board Presentation
Maria Maynard
Deputy Superintendent
Office of Catholic Schools
Archdiocese of Hartford
September 4, 2013

2. We come here this evening from busy lives. It can be hard to
arrive. Our bodies can be here but the rest of us somewhere
else. When worn by the day and the people thronging
around him, Jesus would take a boat across the lake to be in
contact with what was deepest in him to be able to return
whole.
We do not have a boat this evening but we have our
imaginations, and for a few short minutes we can get
into the boat with Jesus and cross to a place of peace.
We can then face the ebb and flow of the Board's
work. We can truly be present as we embark upon the
challenges and opportunities of participating in the
work of the local Catholic school board.

3. LEADER:
Let us pray Lord. In these few moments
we ask you to still our minds and calm
our hearts so that refreshed and whole
again we may return and be truly present
to what we are about to embark on
together this evening.
ALL : Lord, as we sit at this meeting this
evening, help us to be aware of the fact
that you will be present in our midst. You
showed us this on the Road to Emmaus.
All we must do is to allow you in and to
share our conversation. Let us pause for a
moment and become aware of His
presence among our group.
Amen.

4. The Story of 2 Brick Layers- Simply a Matter of
Perspective
What a boring job I have. Everyday the
same old thing. One brick on top of
another –A little cement in between.
Every day the same old thing.
Oh me! Oh My! What a lucky guy am I!
Every day I have the opportunity to create
something that could be really great.
Thank God I work from six to eight.

5. Commissioning Service
“Good and Gracious God, we commit ourselves to the call to be your people, going into all the
earth to proclaim that you are the lord, bringing harmony and love to your good creation. We
pray this and we serve in your name, Amen.”
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule… So
God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and
female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and
over every living creature that moves on the ground”...The LORD God took the man and put him
in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15)
Leader: As those who have committed to following Christ’s call in your lives, will you allow the
expression of your personality and the exercise of your spiritual gifts and your natural talents to
be directed and empowered for the glory of Jesus Christ?
Everyone: With God as our help, we will.
OPENING PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING
COMMISSIONING

6. Leader: Will you use this opportunity to serve in a manner that reflects God’s Kingdom and
our Catholic values?
Everyone: With God as our help, we will.
Leader: Will you encourage one another toward seeing your work as more than “a job” or a
task, with no personal agenda, but as the very means by which God is redeeming the world
through His people?
Everyone: With God as our help, we will.
Leader: Will you always give yourselves fully to your work, because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain?
Everyone: With God as our help, we will.
Leader: In whatever you do, will you work with a sincere heart, in the name of Jesus and not
simply for recognition or self interests.
Everyone: With God as our help, we will.
Scripture Reading
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians
10:31)
COMMISSIONING continued

7. Lord, we know that our work really, truly matters. All that we
do for your glory will transform the lives of those within our
school community. Thank you for our calling. We desire that
you lead us in holy, effective ways to do the best work for the
success of the school. And we want to be agents of your
redemption. Your kingdom come and will be done, here on
earth as it is in heaven—especially in our vocations. We seek to
glorify you in all that we do. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER

8. School Board Structure

9. Seven Components of Consultative Board
Structure:
Membership
Officers
Meetings
Committees
By-laws & Constitution
Executive Session

10. New School Board Member NOMINATION FORM
Important duties of Nominating Committee:
1. Search out areas of need on Board
2. Cultivate relationships with possible new board members from
present committee members, community, parish, etc.
3. Narrow down list – Board votes on those names that should be
presented to Pastor for appointment.
4. The nomination form will clarify and formalize the information
for the nominating committee.

11. INFORMATION FOR CANDIDACY ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BOARD
School Name:_____________________Candidate's Name_________________________
Relationship to School_______________________________________________________
Home address_________________________________Ph. or cell__________________
Occupation:_______________________________________________________________
Parish____________________________________________________________________
Parish/Diocesan Activities____________________________________________________
Civic Activities______________________________________________________________
Specific talents available to Board______________________________________________
What is you vision for the school?______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________ Date_________________________

12. MEMBERSHIP –
7-9 members – excluding pastor,
principal/chief administrator
Pastor – ex-officio, non-voting
Principal – ex-officio, non- voting
Parents - 1/3 total membership
Parish Council – 1 member
Alumni, community

13. Members of School staff, their spouses, children,
siblings, or parents are not eligible for Board
membership.
Can these individuals serve on committees?

14. Eligibility
Interest in Catholic education
At least 18 years of age
If Catholic member of parish, if not no
opposition to tenets of Catholic faith
Ability to work with others to achieve
consensus
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Willing to support mission and philosophy
Personal life reflective of teachings of
Catholic Church

15. RESPONSIBILITIES of School Board
Periodic review of mission statement
Policy formation and adoption, as needed
Strategic Planning
Marketing & Enrollment
Finances/Budgeting
Systematic evaluation: school’s mission, goals, the Board
itself, the Principal/Chief administrator within the
parameters set by the Archdiocese
Recommendation for new administrator when vacancy
occurs
In which area did you think you would have the most impact ?

16. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD
MEMBERS
Approves budget
Cooperates in the implementation of
advancement, recruitment,
strategic plan
All votes subject to his approval
(if Pastor does not agree with
school board vote, because of their
consultative nature, he should provide
a written statement of his objections)
In what way does your Pastor participate?
Share at your table.

17. Superintendent/Deputy Superintendent
In the case of Archdiocesan High School Board
• Receives nominations for new board members
• Establish regulations and procedures for
implementation of policies, interprets policy, provides
in-service programs, consults, receives
recommendations for additions/changes to
procedures
• Attends board meetings

18. Principal/Chief Administrator
• Responsible for operation of school program
• Responsible for employment, supervision, evaluation of
staff;
• Responsible for the establishment of educational
programming, the implementation of school policy in
accordance with Archdiocesan policy
• Recommends school policy
• Creates agenda for Board meetings with Chair, is main
resource for in-service of Board
• Develops budget with pastor and finance committee

19. Chairperson/Officers
• Officers are elected annually and need to have served on Board
for at least 1 yr.
• Chairperson presides at all meetings, determines agenda with
principal/chief administrator, appoints members to committees,
oversees committee activities, plans for orientation of new
members, coordinates Board Self- Assessment
• Vice Chair in absence of Chair conducts activities, performs all
duties of Chair
• Secretary maintains all written records of all acts of the school
board, handles all correspondence, preserves reports and
documents, notifies members of meetings, distributes minutes,
emails materials, collects self-assessment of board.

20. What type of
orientation do you
offer for new
members?

21. Standing Committee
Provides continuity for
ongoing operation of
Board
Strategic Planning
Annual goal setting
and action plans,
strategic plan
Enrollment Mgmnt/
Marketing
Public relations,
marketing,
fund development,
alumni relations,
enrollment
management
Finance
Participates in
formulating, adopting
and monitoring
operational
budget
Nominating
Seeks new members
to replace those
whose term has ended

22. The Strategic Planning Committee
• Absolutely essential committee
• Principal must have vision
• Chair of the committee must organize SWOT analysis –
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
• Chair surveys all constituencies and prioritizes each category.
• Faculty, Pastor, Parents, Students, Administration
Goals are spread out over 3-5 years. Goals must align
with 20†20 Vision, Try to develop areas in your
strategic plan that coincide with domains of 20†20
Vision
• As goals are established action plans must also be
established (what, by whom, when, how, how much $$)

23. Committee Responsibilities
Summary of THE STRATEGIC PLAN
1. Develop a vision – principal
2. Think strategically
3. SWOT analysis and prioritize
4. Create a case statement
5. Develop and update long-range plan
6. Action plan
7. Integrate 20†20 Vision: An Eye on Our Future
8. Include consultation notes
9. Use plan as yearly road map
10.Plan should always be continuous
so that it covers a 3 or 5 year span
1

24. Ad-Hoc Committee
Meets a specific need at a given
time. Once it is completed, it is
disbanded.
Safety committee
Tech committee
Playground committee
Food Service committee

25. Enrollment /
Marketing
• Cultivate major
donors
• Build friends
• Formulate and
implement
advancement
program to include
public relations,
marketing, alumni,
fund development,
enrollment
management
Nominating
•Ensure representation of
school community
•Gather biographical info
•Develop slate of eligible
members
•Provide confidentiality
statement
•Execute Board
orientation
•Suggest topics for in-
service
•Chair of Nom. Conducts
election of officers
Finance
• Prepares, adopts
budget
• Develop plans
and means to
finance programs
• Participates in
strategic plan
• Assists in
financial aid plan
Which committee presents the greatest challenge for your
school board ?

26. How to Align 20†20 Vision with
Strategic Plan
20†20 Vision
• Mission Formation &
Evangelization
• Leadership & Governance
• Excellence in Teaching &
Learning
• Operational Vitality
Strategic Plan
• Catholic Identity
• Board/Administration/
Finance
• Academics / Programs
• Finance/Marketing/
Enrollment

27. How to Align 20†20 Vision with Strategic Plan
With Administration and Faculty
• Mission Form & Evangel. Pgs.15,17 benchmarks
• Lead & Gov. Pgs. 23,25 benchmarks
• Exc. In Teaching & Learning Pgs.31,33 benchmarks
• Operational Vitality Pgs.41,43 benchmarks
Using the Rubrics:
• Select what is well done and eliminate from your list.
• Select what is mediocre or not possible and develop a plan
• which will cover goal setting over the 3 or 5 year span of your
strategic plan.
• This planning dies not eliminate goal setting from other surveys.

28. Enduring Understandings:
“…the growth and development of school boards are
among the important graces that have emerged from
Vatican II… In a spirit of collegiality with the members
of the board… they can insure that the Catholic school
will achieve its noble mission.” Rev. Joseph O’Keefe, S.J. Ed. D., 2012
catholicschoolshartford.org
Leadership Tab
Local Catholic School Board
Manual