Baltimore, Maryland

 

The 17 elected members and 9 ex-officio members of this school board work to the benefit of the students in grades 9-12. They do this well, in large part due to their strong and effective membership committee, which continues to solicit quality members to the board. They also share a vital appreciation for the distinction between the functions of management and the functions of the board; the board does not micro-manage.

 

In addition, the board has well-established and healthy functioning committees in many areas. At general meetings, members address issues rather than a parade of committee reports. This allows for creative and long-range strategic thinking and planning, which suits this board that is more concerned about the school’s future than fixating on how to run it today.

 

The board reformatted its quarterly meetings to gain more productivity and engagement. In the past, agendas were built around individual and committee reports, which did not allow for in-depth discussion to provide future direction. A change in format was proposed and implemented. Now the executive committee meets with the school president each summer to determine issues for the board to address during the upcoming school year. Prior to each meeting, committee reports are submitted in writing and sent out in a packet, thus leaving time during the meetings for topics of importance to be discussed. Topics covered recently include: Catholic/Franciscan identity of the school, employee compensation and benefits, and capital campaign preparation.

 

This model works due to the strength of the committee structure and board members who are comfortable thinking strategically. Diverse experience is represented on the board as well, which it believes is critical to fostering the creative energy that is present.

 

Beaumont, Texas

 

This 12-member board has a mix of members from a cross section of the two largest parishes with students enrolled in the school. Members also may include one non-Catholic and members from other parishes. St. Anne Parish sends a representative from its parish council. And the board seeks at least one member with a financial background to assist the principal with financial planning for the school. Currently, three board members are alumni of the school.

 

In addition to the active board members, three alternates may attend meetings and serve on various committees. These alternates are then available if a board member leaves; should that occur, an alternate can then become an active member. This provision of alternates is a real asset.

 

A clear and concise charge has been given to all committees of the board, and the president of the school board is in touch with all committee chairs on a regular basis. For the development and finance committees, recruitment of non-board members is encouraged when they have experience related to needed tasks.

 

Among the many issues at hand is the cost of school tuition. The finance committee has moved the school to full-cost tuition and developed a tuition scale with financial assistance for all Catholic families. The board has taken leadership in the annual appeal that has exceeded its goal each of the last three years. The board also started an endowed foundation account, with interest assisting with teacher salary raises. The long-range strategic plan includes marketing, so that the schools in the diocese are working toward financial self-sufficiency.

 

Enrollment has climbed to 580 students, despite the effects of two hurricanes. From the pastor’s view, "There’s enough money and a viable student body at St. Anne’s."

 

Dallas, Texas

 

The 9 elected members and 3 ex-officio members of this school council work hard on behalf of the kindergarten through grade 8 school. They accomplish their goals through the following: prayer; following the teamwork motto of "Together everyone achieves more," emphasizing communication through monthly meetings and frequent emails and telephone calls to help them stay on target; conducting an annual self-assessment to evaluate strengths and areas of growth; and dedication. Each member commits to serving on the council for a three-year term to help with continuity and effective implementation of long-range planning.

 

This council has been in existence since the inception of the school in 1998. In its early years, the council’s primary mission was to construct a state-of-the-art school building, which was dedicated in August 2003. The council then turned to applying for accreditation, which was accomplished in September 2006 when the school received an exemplary rating from the Texas Catholic Conference Accreditation Education Department. In only nine years, the council has helped build an elementary school, taken enrollment from 56 to 305, received accreditation, and won the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Award as one of the top 50 private schools in the U.S.

 

This has taken a substantial commitment of time and talent, which was no small task.

 

Encino, California

 

The 19 plus 3 ex-officio members of this school board focus on the school’s mission in determining policy, budget, and finance on behalf of the pre-kindergarten to grade 8 students. The board has active committees as well as members who are involved actively with the school's students and are aware of their progress and needs. To ensure these needs are met, the board reviews and updates its goals annually.

 

There’s a focus on the alumni at the school, so the board has initiated an alumni newsletter and annual alumni party, both of which have proven quite successful. The alumni committee is composed of alumni volunteers who currently have children attending the school; this gives them a unique ability to appeal to all alumni on a personal level, and the board believes this model could be used as a template in other parochial schools.

 

Although located in an affluent community, the school board rolls up its collective sleeves and donates time and effort to build for the children’s future. The goal is to provide an affordable education in a safe environment where a child can mature intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The school seeks academic excellence and a high level of parent and community involvement. Spiritual and moral values and respect for self and others are fostered.

 

Fort Worth, Texas

 

In existence for 34 years, this advisory board is composed of members from the following groups: priests, brothers, sisters, CPAs, attorneys, parents of current students, parents of alumni, local business persons, and other professionals.

 

Administered in the Marianist tradition of education, this board’s philosophy is based on five characteristics from that tradition: education in faith, a holistic education, education in family spirit (community), education for service/justice/peace, and education in adaptation and change.

 

The board met its goals through several key approaches, which include yearly presentations and retreats as well as a strategic planning process. Organizational structure also has been key. Several committees are structured to meet monthly; occasional and effective joint meetings of committees also are held.

 

Board meetings are effective through use of a patterned structure, use of consensus decision-making, and committee chair selection based on professional expertise. Board meeting time is not taken up with committee work and the executive committee plans most issues for discussion. It is rare for a topic to be discussed if not first reviewed by the executive committee. As a result of these approaches and structures, the board has been able to guide financial stability.

 

Macon, Georgia

 

This board of 11 elected members and four ex-officio members is made up of parents in the school. Members serve for a three-year term. Generally, three members rotate off the board each year. Ex-officio members are the pastor, principal, vice-principal, and immediate past president of the board. The past president also serves as parliamentarian.

 

This board makes an effort to find members with particular expertise such as financial, marketing, or facilities, thus making the board committees more effective. At present, all board members serve on at least two committees. The committees also include non-school-board members who are part of the church and school community.

 

The board achieved a major feat this year when it established a vision statement for use on all marketing materials. This statement, or slogan, is: Educating the Total Child in the Catholic Tradition. To date, it has proven highly effective.

 

Through strongly functioning committees, the board also created a facilities manual and revised its bylaws to bring them up to date. All this has been accomplished by the board’s thoughtful move away from marathon board meetings with much discussion but very little action to having the bulk of the work take place in committees. This has allowed for an effort toward increased enrollment and financial stability, to be facilitated by completion of a strategic plan.

 

Orlando, Florida

 

Many demands are made of the pastor and principal of St. John Vianney, so they need assistance from the group of people committed to work for the good of the school community. Thus this functional consultative board is vital to the well-being of the school.

 

The school’s Catholic identity is the very foundation of the board and it has made this a priority. The board conducts an annual retreat with emphasis on the spiritual development of the members.

 

Board members are all visible parishioners and are involved in other parish ministries as well. The board composition reflects diversity of the school population in terms of ethnicity, gender, background, talents, and the age of children. In addition, members’ backgrounds encompass a variety of professions and currently include two CPAs, an attorney, and individuals from the fields of building/construction, communications, technology, strategy, and philanthropy.

 

This board prides itself as having an area of expertise in forming and prospering through partnerships. It works well with all other groups in the parish. This enables the board to dream big and then realize its dreams.

 

Facilities were damaged by multiple hurricanes in 2004. The board and parish rallied to prioritize and improve the campus. Parents volunteered for weekend clean-up projects. Additionally, the board was able to provide funding for a new school building roof, installation of safety glass and a major renovation of the playground, among other improvements.

 

The board also publishes and distributes a quarterly newsletter to 6,000 people. It introduced a Grandparents’ Day in 2006 and is actively reaching out to build an active alumni base. Dedicated volunteers complete many tasks for which other schools have paid staffs.