Official Web Site of the Diocese of Shreveport

Catholic Schools Office

School Council Thoughts
Thoughts on Budgeting	Thoughts on Council Effectiveness	Thoughts on Tuition	Thoughts on Policy	General Thoughts

Thoughts on Policy

School Safety

The Catholic School Council has a duty to review and recommend policies that ensure a safe and secure environment for the entire school community. Every student and staff member has a right to a safe, orderly school campus. Our Catholic schools administrations are quick to follow all safety precautions to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Flowing from the philosophy of our Catholic schools, a plan is established that fosters an attitude of respect for all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnic origin, language fluency, abilities and religion. Each schools plan reflects an attitude of respect for individual and institutional property and belongings.

Each of the School Councils should include a safety committee that is charged with developing policies to ensure safety on the school’s campus. The committee may include members of the Council, police and fire personnel, janitor or school facilities manager.

The Safety Committee’s work will include research and defining local and state ordinances. Craft the action plan to include timeline and expectation of on-site visitation from local fire and safety experts. Always include with a plan a projected budget for the administration. Appropriate concerns of this committee will include the following:

Fire safety

Disaster Plans

Traffic Patterns and accident prevention

Playground and gym equipment

Appropriate lighting for safety and security (including emergency lighting for
Stairways, hallways, multipurpose rooms, and classrooms without windows)

Visitors on campus

Weapons

Drugs

Gangs

The administration and pastor have primary responsibility for the safety and welfare of the school. Yet it is the responsibility of everyone to be concerned and watchful for the safety of the students, staff and visitors on school and church premises.

School Council members can assist the administrator by cooperating and abiding by safety policies. The Council members can help to educate the parents in preventing accidents, directing traffic, driving safely and reporting incidents.

The administrators who depend on the school councils for advice and support implement the most successful safety programs.
From the NCEA Thumbnail service

Policy's How and Why

Catholic School Councils are established for several reasons, the most important of which is to involve and invest the faithful in the direction and operation of the mission of the Church. The vision of Catholic education the Council members share reflects the vision of the people of God.

The School Council enfleshes its vision through policy. Its policies tell the community, “This is where the School Council plans to go.” Most of the School Councils are consultative in nature. They are called upon to formulate policy (a guide to discretionary action) for the pastor’s approval and the principal’s implementation. Policies are short statements on the Council’s decision on a particular issue, given to the principal. Based on this short policy, the principal is able to draft regulations to move the policy toward implementation.

To better understand the council’s function in the area of policy it is necessary to explore the stages that policy must go through before it is implemented. These are:

1. Origin of Policy

2. Matter of Policy

3. Promulgation of Policy

4. Implementation of Policy

Origin of Policy:
Policy can originate from the principal, the pastor, the leadership of the Council, or from any Council member. It may be formulated when the Council perceives an opportunity for action or a particular issue, when a solution to a problem is required or when changes are needed in order to bring the school into conformity with a diocesan policy or state regulation.

Matter of Policy:
School Councils are sure to have policy in areas of tuition, extracurricular activities, legal issues, safety, school admission requirements, etc. An example of policy would be:
“Students at ___________School should not engage in door-to-door solicitations for fund raising activities.”

The following areas are not matters for Council responsibility and therefore, are not matters for policy:

§ Disciplining a child

§ Curriculum development

§ Approval of instructional materials

§ Hiring/Firing of staff

§ Regulations

§ Grievances

Promulgation of Policy:

Only the Pastor may promulgate policy and make policy effective and enforceable. This is in accordance with Canon Law.

After the Council has done the research and formulated the policy, it is presented to the full Council for consensus. Once the Council through consensus accepts the policy, it is presented to the Pastor for promulgation. He does this by his stated approval by signing and dating the policy.

NOTE: A policy may not be enforced if it has not been promulgated.

Implementation of Policy:

Since policy is an indication of the School Council’s vision to the administration, she/he is charged with translating that policy into daily practice. The principal does this through the formulation of regulations. Example of a regulation:

“During the annual candy sale, orders for candy may be taken by telephone or from the student’s family.”

The principal will formulate the regulation based upon input solicited from various groups, such as teachers, catechists, students, and parents.

Policies are published in a School Council Policy Manual and made available to all interested parties.

Councils should make sure that these policies are consistent with diocesan policies and relevant state laws. Policy should be observed at all times and should be enforced.

The effectiveness of the year’s policies should be evaluated at the annual School Council retreat. Good policies achieve their purposes.

From the NCEA Thumbnail service