Modeled in the image of Christ we shall nurture the spiritual, academic, social, and individual potential of our students to prepare them for the challenges of today and the future.
Article I
Name, Purpose, and Function
Section 1. Name
The name of the entrusted body to which this document applies is the Saints (or Sts.) Joan of Arc & Patrick School Governance Council, herein after referred to as the “SGC”. The Council is formed by the pastor(s) of St. Joan of Arc Parish and St. Patrick Parish in collaboration with the principal and the working committees and their chairs.
Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of the School Governance Council is to serve under the direction of the pastor(s) in collaboration with the principal as a council of “limited jurisdiction” (some autonomy in defined decision-making areas implied by Canon 803)) for the development and operation of Sts. Joan of Arc & Patrick School, Kokomo, Indiana, in the Diocese of Lafayette.
Section 3. Functions and Duties of the School Governance Council
The “limited jurisdiction” for which the SGC is responsible:
The SGC through the SC will provide support to:
The pastor(s) reserve the right to evaluate the performance of the principal.
Managing of the School’s daily affairs and hiring/terminating School employees are not the responsibilities of the School Governance Council and School Committees.
Article II
Membership of the School Governance Council and School Committees
Section 1. Membership
The School Governance Executive Councilshall be comprised of the pastor(s), principal, chairs of the school committees and the diocesan superintendent of schools. The pastor(s) and principal will serve as the Executive Committee of the Council. A non-voting secretary will be appointed.
In selecting members of the School Governance Council we will strive to achieve equitable representation from each parish.
The membership of each School Committee is to include representatives from each parish, a school employee and/or the principal.
Section 2. Number, Method of Appointment, and Term
Nine members comprise the School Governance Executive Council:
By right of being the chairperson for a School Committee, the chair is a member of the School Governance Executive Council. The committees having chairpersons are:
The term for School Committee members is open with members making an annual rededication to the work of the committee. If a committee member is not able to fulfill the responsibilities as a committee member, the chair will remove the person from the School Committee.
The chair of each committee is recommended by the SC for approval by the School Governance Executive Committee.
Section 3. Voting Members
All members of the School Governance Executive Council are voting members with the exception of ex-officio member(s).
Section 4. Attendance
All members are required to attend the SGEC meetings. If a member misses two (2) meetings per year, the member will be asked to reconsider his/her continuance as chair on the SGEC as a representative of the SC.
Section 5. Manner of Service
All members are to serve the SGEC in a professional and confidential manner. Items discussed within meetings are not to be shared outside of the meeting.
Section 6. Responsibilities of SGEC
All School Governance Executive Council members (ex-officio and selected) shall have the following duties:
In addition to the duties mentioned above, an SGEC member is expected to be:
The usual mode of decision-making is consensus. In the event that consensus is not reached, the pastor(s) reserve the right to make the decision.
Article III
Meetings of the School Governance Council
Section 1. School Governance Council
The SGC year, for purposes of terms and meetings, shall commence on the first of July and expire on the last day of the fiscal year.
Section 2. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings are to be held at least quarterly. All meetings are to be held at the School or some other convenient location in Kokomo, IN. Other than the members, the meetings are by invitation only.
Section 3. Notice
Notice of each meeting is to be prepared by the Presiding Officer or the appointed secretary and is to sent via email or through the United States Postal Service to each member at least one (1) week in advance, accompanied by an agenda and any other discussion material for the meeting.
Section 4. Quorum
A simple majority (one over half) of the voting membership in attendance is required for a quorum for purposes of conducting business.
Section 5. Voting
Before a vote is taken with respect to any decision, the Presiding Officer will engage the members in discussion so a consensus can be reached. If consensus cannot be reached decisions of the SGEC will be made upon motion only, seconded and carried by a simple majority vote of the voting members present.
Section 6. Agenda
The ordinary order of business shall be:
Call to Order and Prayer
Roll Call
Guest Issues (if invited)
Approval of Minutes
Principal’s Report
School Committee Reports
Future Business
Adjournment and Prayer
Section 7. Conduct
The meetings shall be conducted under the leadership of the Presiding Chair.
Section 8. Records
Minutes of each meeting are to be kept and subsequently distributed to all members not later thanone (1) week before the next SGEC meeting. Official and confidential records of the minutes are to be kept in the administrative offices of the School. An approved summary will be made available to non-members in the administrative offices of the School.
Section 9. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Presiding Officer or by one-third (1/3) of all the voting membership. At least two (2) days notice must be given to all members. These meetings will not be counted against members’ attendance record.
Section 10. Guest Issues
Non-members may address the SGEC, provided they submitted a written request to the Presiding Officer at least five (5) school days prior to a SGEC meeting. They will have no more than five (5) minutes to present their issue, and at the discretion of the Presiding Officer, a time will be determined when to discuss and/or vote on the issue. At the discretion of the Presiding Officer, guests may be limited to no more than five (5) persons per meeting.
Section 11. Attendance
If members cannot attend a meeting and they chair a School Committee, they are to send a designee in their place and give their School Committee report. The designee has no voting privileges.
Section 12. Training
All members must participate in any training required by the Presiding Officer and/or the Diocese of Lafayette. The training of new members is the responsibility of the SGEC and/or designee.
Section 13. Annual Meeting
Before Labor Day of each school year, there will be a meeting of all School Committee members and the SGEC. The presiding Officer has the responsibility to notify all members regarding the meeting and prepare an agenda in collaboration with the Executive Committee of the School Governance Executive Council. At this meeting each committee will present the committee membership to the group, review accomplishments of the previous school year and indicate directions that will be taken during the current year.
Article IV
Officers of the SGEC
Section 1. Officers
The SGEC shall have the following officers: Presiding Officer and Vice-Presiding Officer. Only appointed members may serve as officers. The Presiding and Vice Officers will be elected by a simple majority of all members at the first meeting of each school year.
The secretary of the SGEC is appointed by the Executive School Governance Council.
Section 2. Duties
The duties of the officers shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
A. The Presiding Officer shall:
1. Facilitate all meetings;
2. Give notice for all meetings;
3. Prepare the agenda for all meetings;
4. Be an ex-officio member of each School Committee; and
5. Perform all other duties usually associated with this office.
B. The Vice-Presiding Officer shall perform all the duties of the Presiding Officer when the Presiding Officer is absent or unable to attend.
C. The Secretary shall keep minutes of all SGC meetings and school distribute them to all members of the SGC. He/she shall receive and dispose of all correspondence as directed by the Presiding Officer, and shall perform all other duties usually associated with this office.
D. The Principal and/or designee is responsible for the professional development of the members of both the School Governance Executive Council and the School Committees and is to attend all meetings of these bodies unless there is an appointed designee.
Article V
Executive Committee of the School Governance Council
Section 1. Membership
Members of the Executive Committee are the pastors and principal.
Article VI
School Committees
Section 1. Membership
A. Committees are to have equitable representation if equal representation from both parishes is not possible.
B. When determining membership on the School Committees the following shall be considered:
1. Qualifications relevant to the skills desirable for membership, including, but not limited to,
a. participation in Church activities,
b. character, and
c. educational and occupational experience.
c. The number of members needed to perform the responsibilities of the committee.
d. There is no term limit for School Committee members.
e. Upon the recommendation of the School Committee chair to the SGEC, members can be added to the committee.
C. The SGEC may remove a committee member.
D. Upon the recommendation of the Committee Chair, the SGEC shall appoint replacement members as necessary.
E. All members must participate in any training required by the Presiding Chair and/or the Diocese of Lafayette.
Section 2. Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of each School Committee is to :
Each School Committee is responsible for creating its own protocol for its meetings.
All School Committee members are expected to attend an annual meeting of the whole.
Section 3. The School Committees and their Respective Responsibilities.
The Curriculum Committee shall assist and advise the principal of the School, and its primary responsibilities include:
The Development Committee shall assist and advise the principal and/or designee to ensure the goals envisioned and articulated in the School’s long-range plan are carried out. Its primary responsibilities include:
The School Environment Committee shall advise and assist the principal in maintaining the School facility and campuses. Its primary responsibilities include:
The Finance Committee shall assist and advise the school business manager regarding financial accountability and monitoring the school budget. Its primary responsibilities include:
The Student Life Committee shall assist andserve as an extension of the School staff. Its primary responsibilities include:
Article VI
Amendments to the Bylaws of the SGC
Section 1. Process
These bylaws may be amended as follows: