St. Andrew Catholic Parish School

School Board Constitution

Revised: October 2025

The St. Andrew Catholic School Board’s fundamental goal is the improvement of St. Andrew Catholic Parish School. It is the desire and the intent of the school board to fully participate in policy formation and promote unity and stability in the school. As such, the board serves in an advisory capacity, gathering information and providing consensus recommendations to the pastor and/or principal.

 

The St. Andrew Catholic School Board supports the school’s efforts to build upon the influence of the home. The board advocates the school’s role in assisting parents as they nurture healthy, compassionate, and well-educated children. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • The development of spiritual, intellectual, social-emotional, and physical capabilities
  • The discovery of their uniqueness and self-worth as well as the value of all human beings
  • The exploration of  their Christian and Catholic heritage
  • The deepening of their personal relationship with God and the Church.

ARTICLE I:

NAME

This organizational body shall be known as the St. Andrew Catholic School Board and may be referred to in this document as the board or school board.

ARTICLE II:

STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS

Section A: Purpose

The board serves as a consultative body. It assists the pastor and principal in fulfilling the school’s mission.

The board does not address issues of a personal nature or issues involving individual members of the school staff. Where there is a dispute or grievance involving a pupil, parent/guardian, or school personnel, the following procedures will apply:

  1. The issue(s) will not be discussed by the school board.
  2. The parent/guardian is advised to meet with the teacher/staff member at issue.
  3. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached, the parent/guardian may contact the principal.
  4. If a resolution is still unattainable, the parent/guardian has the option of consulting the pastor.
  5. The pastor may wish to involve diocesan representatives, if necessary.

The board is consultative in nature; members must not act independently of the pastor and/or principal. Furthermore, the board will not render decisions binding to the parish or school without the expressed consent of the pastor and/or principal. Administrative responsibility and legal liability for actions by the board rests with the pastor and/or principal.

Conversely, Diocese Consultatives (cf. Canons 495-501) stipulate that decisions will not be rendered without board consultation in those areas where responsibility has been specifically delegated to the board.

The decisions of the board are reached by consensus.

Section B:  Responsibilities of School Administration

The bishop is responsible for the educational mission of the diocese. As an official delegate of the bishop, the pastor (in conjunction with the principal), is responsible for the catechetical policies of the school. The pastor, appointed by the bishop, holds the rights and responsibilities specified by Canon Law. The principal is responsible for developing and communicating rules and policies for the school.  He/she is also tasked with the supervision of school personnel.

All entities will function and operate under the guidelines established by the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Section C: Functions and Duties of the School Board

 

The school board is responsible for but not limited to the following functions and duties:

  1. Develop and implement school programs at the request of the school administration.
  2. Review administrative recommendations relating to the operation and maintenance of the physical plant, as requested by the school administration. (Strategic Planning Committee)
  3. School Board Members are positive representatives for the school. Constructive criticism that recognizes the dignity of everyone involved is welcome.
  4. School Board members bring forward ideas for school improvement. These ideas can be shared and discussed at our meetings.
  5. School Board members inform other parents of what is happening at the school when those opportunities arise. Members help bridge the communication gap.
  6. School Board members are focused on what is beneficial for the whole school. They do not focus on personal agendas while doing Board work.
  7. Members of the board, as selected by the pastor, shall assist in the search for a new principal when necessary.
  8. Recommend standing or ad-hoc committees.
  9. Develop and review school policies and recommend changes when deemed necessary.
  10. Provide year-end analysis of the working relationship between the board and the principal.
  11. Provide a school board orientation for new members and schedule in-services as needed.
  12. The board shall maintain a Communications Committee that effectively promotes communication between the school and the parish, and with the local community.
  13. The board shall maintain a Marketing and Enrollment Committee that effectively plans to build enrollment and retention of students within the school.
  14. The board shall Review School Budgets and be presented with a quarterly budget report.

ARTICLE III:

RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER GROUPS

Section A: Pastoral Council and Finance Council

The school board, Parish Council, and Parish Finance Council are consultative to the pastor.  Therefore, it is essential that good communication exists among the groups to enhance information sharing and common planning for the total parish community.

Section B: Parent Teacher Group

The President or an elected representative of the Parent Teacher Group is an ex-officio member of the SACS School Board.

Section C: Diocese

The relationship between the school board and the diocese is stated in diocesan education policies.

ARTICLE IV:

MEMBERSHIP

The St. Andrew School Board shall consist of a minimum of seven (7) members who are appointed by the nominating committee. The members shall be selected from a pool of applicants and nominees. Additional members shall include: the pastor of St. Andrew Catholic Church, principal of St. Andrew Catholic School, and a representative from the Parent Teacher Group.

ARTICLE V:

SELECTION AND ELIGIBILITY OF NEW MEMBERS

The nominating committee shall select and appoint board members who demonstrate:

  • a commitment to Catholic education
  • an interest and desire to serve on the board
  • a willingness to support the school philosophy and mission
  • the intent to contribute personal talents and expertise
  • the skills necessary to fulfill the duties of a board member, including positivity, creative problem-solving, effective communication, and a focus on what is beneficial to the entire school community
  • a willingness to actively participate in the board activities and attend regular board meetings/functions.

ARTICLE VI:

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The nominating committee will consist of the principal, pastor, and the current school board executive committee.  The committee will screen and select candidates on an annual basis.

ARTICLE VII:

TERMS

Each board member will serve a three-year term, unless an extension is approved by the administration.  A board member may serve one additional non-consecutive, three-year term.

ARTICLE VIII:

RESIGNATION, REMOVAL, OR OTHER VACANCY

  1. Board members may resign at any time.
  2. Removal of any member from the board shall be an official action of the executive committee.
  3. Members may be removed from the board for missing, without excuse, three board meetings in a twelve-month period or for behavior /conduct unbecoming of a school board member.
  4. Potential removal from the school board shall be brought to the attention of the member in question by the chairperson.
  5. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the issue(s) relating to his/her potential removal.
  6. The chairperson must communicate the executive committee’s decision to the member under review in a timely manner.
  7. Should a position be vacated during the term of office, the board may select a new member to finish the term vacated.  Or, the board may wait until the regular nominating process occurs.  However, if the vacancy causes board membership to drop below seven (7), the position must be filled immediately.

ARTICLE IX:

OFFICERS

  1. Board members may resign at any time.
  2. Removal of any member from the board shall be an official action of the executive committee.
  3. Members may be removed from the board for missing, without excuse, three board meetings in a twelve-month period or for behavior /conduct unbecoming of a school board member.
  4. Potential removal from the school board shall be brought to the attention of the member in question by the chairperson.
  5. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the issue(s) relating to his/her potential removal.
  6. The chairperson must communicate the executive committee’s decision to the member under review in a timely manner.
  7. Should a position be vacated during the term of office, the board may select a new member to finish the term vacated.  Or, the board may wait until the regular nominating process occurs.  However, if the vacancy causes board membership to drop below seven (7), the position must be filled immediately.

ARTICLE X:

MEETINGS

Section A: Frequency

The school board shall meet once a month during the school’s academic year.  Standing committees will meet as required.  Special board meetings may be called by the pastor, principal, and president (after consultation with the pastor and/or principal).The executive committee will meet prior to each scheduled board meeting and will set the agenda for the next meeting.  The executive committee will review the proposed agenda items and prioritize the items it feels should be addressed by the full board.  Proposed items that are to be discussed at a later date will be disclosed to the board members.

Section B: Quorum

For the purpose of conducting official business, a quorum (simple majority) of the total members, must be present.

Section C: Consensus Decision Making

The consensus method of decision making should be used. When the board is unable to reach a consensus, the minutes will reflect the differing positions and reasons for disagreement.  In the case where a vote is to be recorded, Roberts Rules of Order shall be followed.

Section D: Open Meetings/Executive Session

Meetings of the school board shall be open to parents of St. Andrew Catholic School. The board will convene in closed executive sessions when sensitive matters will be discussed.

Any parent/guardian or parish member may introduce an issue to be addressed by the board.  Proposed topics must be submitted in writing to the executive committee and/or principal at least ten (10) days before the next scheduled school board meeting.  Agenda items must be reviewed and approved by the executive committee prior to presentation to the full school board.  Such proposals must adhere to the procedures and purposes set forth in Article II.

Section E: Agenda

The Agenda for regular meetings shall include, but not be limited to:

  • A Call to Order
  • Prayer
  • Review of Minutes and Reports
  • Old Business
  • New Business
  • Committee Reports
  • Principal’s Report
  • Announcements
  • Adjournment
  1. Proposed agenda items may be submitted to a board member by anyone.  Items must be submitted in writing and include rationale for consideration.
  2. The board member must forward the proposed agenda item(s) to the executive committee at least ten (10) days before the next scheduled school meeting.

ARTICLE XI:

POLICY CHANGES

Section A: Procedure

To recommend policy changes, the following procedures must be observed:

  • A briefing paper explaining the need for a particular policy change will be presented to the board at a regular meeting. A tentative policy draft must also be provided to the board.

  • The school board members, pastor, and principal will receive copies of the draft

  • After input from the board and school administration, the reformulated policy change will be resubmitted to the board at a regular meeting.

  • The board may or may not recommend adoption of the policy or may postpone it for further study.

Section B: Annual Review


The principal shall review school policies annually. Any changes made to the policies will be reported to the board.

ARTICLE XII:

AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the school board membership and subject to the approval of the pastor, bishop, and/or the diocesan Board of Education. Amendments must be presented to the board members at least two weeks prior to a vote.