School board leadership strengthens all aspects of the school

Published: November 14, 2009

By Vernell Bowen
Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Vernell Bowen

The challenges for the future of Catholic school education call for new roles and strong leadership from lay members of school boards.

In the past, Catholic school advisory board membership selection has been just to ask or elect whoever was willing to serve. For the future, this process is archaic and is ineffective in assisting the principal and pastor with strengthening all aspects of the school.

Finding effective members for school advisory boards takes cultivation and succession planning.

The first step in looking for new board members is to assess the current members and the talents they bring to the board. An effective board should have a diverse membership that has expertise in finances, marketing, development, buildings and grounds maintenance and the strategic planning process. Committees need to be formed in these different areas.

Once the talents of current board members are assessed, then the pastor, principal and board members need to compile a list of parishioners and school patrons that have the talents needed for a diverse board. The written de scription of the goals and responsibilities of the committees will help potential members determine if they will be willing to commit to serving on the board.

If the board membership is small, then there will be a need for ad hoc committee members. Each board member should be responsible for chairing a committee and then members from the parish and school community could be asked to serve as ad hoc, non-voting members. The utilization of ad hoc committee members will assist with succession planning for future board members.

After board membership is determined and committees established, it is very important that the membership attends an orientation presented by the superintendent regarding diocesan policies and procedures for board members. The board's activities also need to be mission driven.

It is very important that the board members know the mission of the school and that the committees' goals reflect the mission. The committees' goals should be based on a needs assessment and the recommendations made to the school through the self-study process for accreditation.

The following characteristics as well as specific talents are mandatory for effective board leadership:

a commitment to prayer

a broad understanding of the school's mission

a commitment to Catholic education

an ability to look at the common good in decision making

an ability to work in a group

loyalty to the group

ability to maintain confidentiality

a willingness to work.

If the board members are actively involved with planning for the school and clearly understand their roles, their works will be successful in developing a thriving Catholic educational community.

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