School Board of the Diocese of Camden
Camden, New Jersey

The characteristics that make this advisory board effective are its accomplished, diverse, representative, and committed members; its good organization under an effective constitution; its thorough pre-meeting communications; the support and background materials provided to members on a regular basis; and the opening of meetings with a well-prepared prayer service.

A major effort has been the complete overhaul of the policy manuals for the schools. In pursuing this revision, the board had to consider thoroughly a number of new issues: the implications for Catholic Schools of New Jersey's "Megan's Law" mandating parental notification regarding sexual offenders; the development of better emergency procedures policies for all schools in light of recent events; the implementation of the Modified Memorandum of Agreement Between the Diocese of Camden and Law Enforcement Officials for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden; new policies on such social and moral issues as student pregnancy, discrimination, and sexual harassment; new policies regarding the self-medication of pupils; a new tuition structure with expanded tuition assistance opportunities for parents; and a new president/principal model of administration for parish and diocesan high schools.

Board members were faithful, diligent, professional, and persistent in researching thoroughly and developing well policies that facilitate the smooth operation of Catholic schools. In doing so they directly confronted the difficult, "cutting edge" issues that need to be addressed.