NABCCCE

2001 Outstanding Board Award

St. Paul Catholic School Board
Leesburg, Florida

Prior to 1993, this pre-K through grade 8 parish school (the only one in the county) was reopened by popular demand after being closed for ten years. For a while it had no board, struggled with enrollment, lack of leadership and finances, and was isolated from its parish community. A new pastor and principal resurrected the school board by first appointing a transitional advisory board and then developing a consultative board with its own constitution. It is composed of the pastor, the principal, the parish business administrator, four persons who are elected by the parish and four who are appointed by the pastor.

The board's greatest accomplishment has been to unify the school with the parish community and to carry the Catholic presence into the local area. Opportunities were created for student involvement in the parish and for parish involvement in school activities. Board representatives' visits to other county parishes have enhanced relationships and built support. Participation in activities sponsored by civic groups have contributed to growth, community support, and ecumenism.

The board also provided a multi-faceted approach to financial support that supplemented funds provided by tuition, including the establishment of a special monthly collection called "Five for the Future" which asks all parishioners to give a minimum of five dollars, an annual appeal folder mailed to selected donors, an Adopt-a-Student Plan (to provide tuition for a child who cannot afford to attend), scholarships in honor or memory of individuals, and support from other parishes. This has enabled the board to improve teacher salaries to 86% of public school salaries in 2000-2001 in order to attract and retain an outstanding staff. A committee meets monthly to monitor the financial situation, distribute financial assistance, and direct the development of the budget.

A school marketing task force and other measures have increased enrollment to the point of having waiting lists for some classes. At the principal's request, an advisory committee assists in interviewing and recommending applicants for employment. The principal then submits her choice to the pastor for final approval.

The board attributes its success to a combination of collegial rapport, individual member dedication, the diversity of talent and experience, the outstanding support of the pastor and his ability to utilize the expertise of others, the excellent rapport and sense of teamwork of the principal, and the board's orientation and ongoing inservice of new members.

The superintendent attributes the school's success to the board, who "are hard workers without personal agendas" who "work well together" and "are supportive of the principal and pastor."

The board suggests that its approach can be used by others if all these three basic conditions are present: 1) a pastor who strongly supports the school and the talents of others, 2) a principal who is well-qualified and willing to use board expertise as a valuable resource, and 3) a board composed of individuals willing to set aside personal agendas and commit to common goals which they believe can be reached with the grace of God.