Diocesan School Advisory Board

The Diocesan School Advisory Board is consultative to the Bishop of Richmond, and the Chief School Administrator sits in his place when he is not present. The board consults in the area of finance, strategic planning, public relations and school policy. The Office of Catholic Schools implements and evaluates the programs each year. Members of the board represent all regions where diocesan schools exist. (Click here to see the listing of our Diocesan Advisory School Board)

Each school in the diocese is required to have a school board. The school board is consultative to the respective parties of the school or diocese. The board consults in the area of development, strategic planning, finance and building and grounds. Recommendations of the board do not become policy unless the person responsible for the school approves the policy.

There are two other kinds of school boards in the Diocese:

• Regional School Board - members represent the supporting parishes of a regional school.
• Parish School Board - members represent the parish community supporting the school.

All school boards are consultative to the Office of Catholic Schools (Diocesan School Advisory Board and Regional School Board) or principal and pastor (Parish School Board). There are four standing committees for every school board.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

• Assists the Principal in the development of the school budget.
• Monitors and analyzes the monthly reports and budget.
• Develops a set of financial policies governing tuition, financial aid and other financial procedures. (Diocesan School Policy Book has policies to guide the formation of these policies.)
• Recommends the tuition schedule.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

• Develops and implements with the Principal/ Development Director a marketing plan for the school.
• Creates a plan for the support of an effective annual appeal.
• Researches and writes proposals for grants.
• Participates in creating a plan for a Capital Campaign when necessary.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE:

• Creates and maintains a five-year plan for capital improvements.
• Updates the plan.
• Oversees the implementation of the plan.
• Monitors the effectiveness of building maintenance.

LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE:

• Implements a process that involves the total school community in developing a five-year strategic plan.
• Presents a draft of the five-year plan to the community for review.
• Publishes and monitors the implementation of the plan.
• Updates the plan annually.

Each of the standing committees is required of all boards. The Diocesan School Advisory Board develops a set of goals for the committees each spring based on the current and future needs of the Diocesan School System.

Handbooks for each member of the school boards are available through the Office of Catholic Schools or can be downloaded here:

• School Advisory Board Handbook (PDF; 197 KB)

History of the School Boards