Saint Patrick School
R
Rodeo, California
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School Board Constitution and By-laws
Article I – NameThe name of this body is the St. Patrick School Board (Board), the parish school of St. Patrick, Rodeo, California. Article II – Purpose and FunctionThe Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Pastor of St. Patrick Parish and to the Principal of the School of St. Patrick. It shall advise upon all matters presented to it by the Principal, the Pastor, the School Board subcommittees, the St. Patrick Parent Teacher Group (PTG), the teachers, and the families of St. Patrick School concerning the operation of the School in the areas of physical plant, tuition, budget and institutional advancement. The Board must insure that its policies follow the intent and spirit of the policies laid down by the Diocesan School Board. The duties and functions include but are not limited to: · Comply with the policies and regulations of the Diocesan School Board. · Recommend policies to the school administration governing the operation of St. Patrick School. · Recommend policies relating to the planning, operation, and maintenance of facilities and equipment. · Bear responsibility for determining whether policies are carried out according to the directives of the Diocesan School Board. · To be an advocate of Catholic education by making the works and achievements of the parish school better known to the community and diocese. · Approve the annual budget and secure adherence to that budget. · Establish committees on a standing or ad hoc basis according to need. · Discuss and evaluate reports presented by the professional staff members. · Review performance of instructional programs and work with the staff in providing for the wants and needs of the school. Article III – MembershipMembers of the Board include the Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, the Principal of St. Patrick School, and up to eight members of the school and/or parish community. Term of membership is three consecutive years. Individuals interested in joining the Board submit a statement of interest and qualifications to the Pastor or the Principal the April before the new school year. Board members are approved by the Pastor and the Principal after utilizing the discernment process. Installation of new members occurs at the September meeting. The completion of any three-year term occurs at the June meeting. The Board meets on the second Monday of each month, September through June. Additional meetings can be scheduled as necessary. Notice of special meetings of the Board shall be communicated to the members in writing at least one week prior to the meeting date. Board members are obligated to attend all meetings except when excused by the Principal. The two Board alternates are invited to come to all meetings, but are not obliged. Vacancies on the Board arising during the year shall be filled by a Board alternate. Each new school year, at the September meeting, the Board chooses a facilitator and a secretary. The role of the facilitator is to help prepare the agenda of the next meeting, open each Board meeting, and see to it that the meeting moves through the agenda efficiently and effectively. The role of the secretary is to document who is in attendance at the meeting, the topics and discussion, decisions that are agreed upon and any recommendations made. The Board is not a voting body. Board recommendations to the Pastor and Principal are determined by consensus. Board alternates do not enter into the consensus process. Article IV – Conduct of MeetingsThe ordinary order of meetings includes, but is not limited to: · Prayer · Welcome · Unfinished Business · Reports of Committees · Opportunity for each member to address the Board · New business as presented in the agenda · Pastor Report · Principal Report · Adjournment The Board welcomes participation and attendance in the meetings by school parents, parishioners, and interested parties. However, the right of a non-member of the Board is limited. A petition must be in writing and submitted to the Principal at least one week in advance of the meeting so that it can be listed as an agenda item. All meetings of the Board are open. However, if confidential matters are to be discussed, then a closed session will be called and anyone in attendance who is not a member of the Board will be asked to leave. Article V – ConfidentialityAll business of the Board is public information unless specifically designated otherwise. It is neither the policy nor practice of the Board to seek information concerning identified families, students, or staff. Should a member learn such information in the course of his/her service, that information must be kept confidential. Article VI – Standing CommitteesThe Board is responsible for forming the following committees and appointing a chairperson: · Finance · Development · Maintenance · Alumni · Safety (Earthquake/Emergency Preparedness) Each committee of the Board serves as an extension of the Board in its consideration of issues and plans in the area of the committee’s particular attentions. Meetings of these committees shall be held as needed. The committee chairperson may call special meetings of such committees. In addition to the standing committees, the Board operates with other committees as the need arises to provide special services, analysis, review, investigation or research for the Board. These special committees shall cease to function upon completion of the specific assignment for which the committee was activated. No committee shall disband without having submitted a final report to the Board. Article VII – AmendmentsAmendments to these By-laws must be presented to the Board at least two weeks prior to discussion and consensus of the proposed amendment. These By-laws may be amended by a consensus of the Board with approval of the Pastor and Principal. |