CONSTITUTION OF THE ST. EDWARD SCHOOL ADVISORY COMMITTEE


PREAMBLE:  STATEMENT OF MISSION AND VISION

As members of the School Advisory Committee we recognize our responsibility to assist St. Edward School to become the best it can be.  Our efforts promote the good that is already accomplished and discover ways to improve the areas of our school that are lacking and need revision.  It is understood that the Principal is the administrator and the Pastor has final responsibility for the school.  Together we will create a positive environment for our students to learn, grow and develop their God given abilities and talents.


ARTICLE I - NAME

Section 1 - name
The name of this working committee of the Board of Total Catholic Education shall be:  St. Edward School Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee.


ARTICLE II - PURPOSE & FUNCTION

Section 1 - purpose
The purpose of the Committee shall be to advise the Pastor (through the Board of Total Catholic Education) of any new initiatives, policies, or programs for St. Edward School.

Section 2 – function
The Committee will serve as a way of communicating what is happening and how better to communicate the strengths of the school and seek ways of improving the weaknesses of the school.  Together as administrators, Board members, faculty, parents and staff we will work together in a spirit of respect and compromise.

Section 3 – school policies and procedures
The Committee shall seek to assist in creating school policies and procedures.  Members will assist in the research and development of policies and procedures to assist the school in its mission.


ARTICLE III – LEADERSHIP

Section 1 – Pastor
By virtue of his appointment by the Bishop, the Pastor has the final responsibility for the school.

Section 2 – Principal
The Pastor delegates his responsibility for the school to the Principal as the implementer of all policies and the every day operation and management of the school.

Section 3 – Board of Total Catholic Education
The Board recognizes their responsibility to encourage and assist all parishioners at St. Edward to continue their faith formation from the “cradle to the grave.”  They have a special concern for the school and as elected members of the parish they are to approve all initiatives and policies that come from the Committee.

Section 4 – School Advisory Committee
The Pastor encourages collaboration to help the school to improve, grow and flourish.  The Committee will serve as a think tank and investigate new ideas and initiatives to further promote the school.  The Committee will serve as a working committee of the Board of Total Catholic Education.  The implementation of all ideas and initiatives are subject to the Board’s approval.


ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – number
There will be seven (7) members on the Committee.  These include:   two members of the faculty;  a member of the school staff;  a member of the Parents Club;  a parent of a non-Catholic student, and two members of the Board of Total Catholic Education.  

Section 2 – ex officio members
In addition to the seven (7) members, ex officio members of the Committee will be the Pastor and the Principal.

Section 3 – officers
The Pastor will serve as the Chairperson of the Committee.  He will prepare the agenda and conduct the Committee meetings.  
As Chairperson, the Pastor will appoint a Recording Secretary for the Committee who will maintain a written record of the proceedings of the Committee meeting.
 
Section 4 – age
Each Committee member must be twenty-five (25) years old.

Section 5 – vision and concern
Each Committee member has vision and concern for St. Edward School.

Section 6 – time commitment
Each Committee member will show a willingness to make a commitment of time to the work of the Committee.

Section 7 – skills
Each Committee member possesses or is willing to learn skills needed for consensus decision making and communication.

Section 8 – length of term
The term of service on the Committee will be three years.  The term begins in June and ends in May three years later.  Each year two members will be replaced.  Committee members may be re-appointed for another three year term.

Section 8 - resignations
All resignations from the Committee should be submitted in writing at least one week in advance of the next meeting of the Committee.

Section 9 – vacancy
Any vacancy arising from resignation or death or will be filled at will by the Pastor.


ARTICLE V – NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – nominations
a.   When needed the Principal will select two faculty members and one staff member for participation on the Committee.
b.   When needed the Parents Club will submit four nominations in April/May.  These nominations are presented to the Pastor for selection.  
c.   When needed the Board of Total Catholic Education will submit two nominations to the Pastor in April/May.
d.   When needed the Pastor will appoint the non Catholic parent representative.


ARTICLE VI – MEETINGS

Section 1 - frequency
Meetings of the Committee will be held bi- monthly.  

Section 2 – quorum
A simple majority of members at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 3 – attendance
Attendance at the Committee meetings is generally reserved for the seven committee members and the ex-officio members.  

Section 4 – confidentiality
Much of the business of the Committee is confidential and therefore must be treated as such.  

Section 5 – special meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or the Principal when a matter affecting the general welfare of the school is in question.  A special meeting is permitted where necessity demands, or the changing laws of the diocese make it necessary.  


ARTICLE VII – DECISION MAKING & CONSENSUS

Section 1 - rationale
It is desired that the decision making process be affirmed by a consensus of all Committee members.  Understanding that the Pastor has final authority it is of great value to have all Committee members in agreement on any decision/suggestion that is made.

Section 2 - applicability
If consensus cannot be reached by all Committee members on a particular issue/discussion, the topic should be revisited at another time until all members can consent in the affirmative.  Compromise should help all Committee members feel comfortable with what is being proposed.


ARTICLE VIII – STANDING SUBCOMMITTEES

Section 1 - collaboration
Each of the standing subcommittees will cooperate/collaborate with any of the other subcommittees and/or submit reports to the Board of Total Catholic Education.  

Section 2 – Health & Safety Subcommittee    
The Health & Safety Subcommittee will assist the school in its mission and be responsible for those issues which touch on the safety of students and buildings.

Section 3 – Development / Public Relations Subcommittee
The Development / Public Relations Subcommittee will assist the school in its mission and be responsible to communicate what is happening to the school community, diocesan community and our local community.

Section 4 – Student Recruitment / Retention Subcommittee
The Student Recruitment / Retention Subcommittee will assist the school in its mission and be responsible to promote student recruitment and retain students.


ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS OR CHANGES

Section 1 - amendments
Amendments to the Committee Constitution may be made:
a)  after a study by a special committee of Committee members;
b)  by the consensus of the Committee members;
c)  by the Pastor when circumstances affect the over-all operation and well-being of the Committee.  

Section 2 - changes
Changes in the constitution of this Committee will be considered adopted or voided in whole, should the law of the diocese, synod, bishops’ conference, or Canon Law make contrary rulings to any of the proceedings or practices of this Committee set forth above.


ARTICLE XI – DEVELOPING POLICIES
    
Section 1 - process on developing policy
An idea/issue for a policy can be generated in a number of ways:
-    proposed by a member of the Board
-    proposed by a member of the Committee
-    proposed by a parent or member of the parish
-    proposed by the Pastor
-    proposed by the Principal
Once the idea/issue has been suggested it is brought to the Committee for discussion research and evaluation.

If the idea/issue receives a consensus from the Committee it is forwarded to the Board for discussion and approval.  Upon the Pastor’s approval it is implemented.

The original Constitution was approved at a meeting of the Board of Total Catholic Education on May 10, 2007.  It was amended in August, 2009.