SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD

Purpose:
	The St. Matthew School Advisory Board exist to give the Catholic lay community a voice in the education decision-making and to guide Catholic educators in providing academic and religious programs for our students. The board members are advisors to the pastor and principal. The principal of the school oversees all board activities. Our school’s mission is to enhance student learning in an environment that evokes the Catholic principles of love, respect, honesty, integrity and service to others. What better way to support our children than becoming an active member of the Advisory Board.
Activities:
	The advisory board’s activities may include, but are not limited to: Identifying needs; long-range strategic planning; setting tuition rates, receiving and reviewing monthly financial reports to the school’s income and expenditures; dialoguing with parish council regarding subsidy; supplementary fundraising; public relations; and promoting Catholic education within the community.
Background:
	Our elementary school is under the authority of the pastor, who is responsible for maintaining an effective religious education program within the school curriculum. To assist the pastor in his administration, the School Advisory Board formulates policies to govern the operation of the school. These policies must be consistent with those set by the Diocesan Board. The officers of the board are the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Finance Secretary, all of whom are elected annually. All members of the School Advisory Board are eligible for any office. For the purpose of transaction official business, it is necessary that a majority of the total members of the board be present and voting. Since the board functions as an advisory body, its recommendations are forwarded to either the Pastor or the Principal for consideration.
Responsibilities:
	The advisory board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: setting goals and objectives for itself and the education program; participating in the evaluation of the program; participating in the hiring and evaluation of the principal; making and evaluating local policies; giving local approval to the operational budget and to proposals for capital expenditures; advising the principal and Pastor upon request; and maintaining procedural documentation relating to this ministry.
Commitment:
	Parish members are elected to the advisory board for three-year terms. The board normally meets the fourth Tuesday of the month during the school year. The President as needed may call special meetings.