The St. Vivian Family continues its commitment to this gospel message by:
The name of this body shall be the St. Vivian Parish Education Commission.
Section 1:
The Education Commission is concerned with the education of all members of the St. Vivian Parish Community. It focuses on the enhancement of all activities that fall under the heading of formal teaching and learning, whether they be ongoing parts of the Parish's life or a one-time program. Included among its areas of focus are the parish school, parish school of religion (PSR), special religious education, preschool education, adult education programs, and other related activities.
Section 2:
The Education Commission is an advisory body that supports the Pastor, Principal, Director of Religious Education (DRE), Director of Youth Ministry, Pastoral Associate, and related personnel concerning the educational needs of the Parish. It is involved in determining, prioritizing, and coordinating Parish educational needs and goals.
Section 3:
The Commission is subject to policies and regulations that proceed from the St. Vivian Parish Council, the Archdiocesan Education Commission, the Archdiocesan School Office, and the laws of the State of Ohio. The parish pastor holds canonical authority over the commission.
Section 1:
The Education Commission identifies and prioritizes the educational needs and objectives of the entire Parish. It establishes and reviews policies designed to meet these needs, accomplish these objectives, and promote Parish educational programs. Policies should be specific enough to give clear guidance to Parish educational leaders, yet broad enough for these individuals to use their professional judgment in implementing specific procedures to enact the policies.
Section 2:
Policy proposals may be submitted to the Education Commission by the Pastor, principal, DRE, and/or Commission members, or any adult member of the Parish.
Section 3:
Policies recommended by the Education Commission must be approved by the Pastor prior to implementation. Consequently, it is essential that the Pastor participate in Education Commission meetings to ensure that he is familiar with the issues concerning the proposed policies.
Section 4:
The Education Commission keeps abreast of Parish educational needs by:
(a) reviewing administrative actions related to education primarily by studying regular reports submitted by educational leaders including the school principal and DRE;
(b) being informed of the financial aspects of the educational programs, including the Parish education budget, salaries, and tuition adjustments-,
(c) establishing liaisons with Parish educational programs including the school, PSR, special religious education, preschool, adult education, and other relevant activities that involve formal teaching and learning-, and
(d) listening to suggestions and concerns voiced by Parish members and parents/guardians of children participating in St. Vivian educational programs.
Section 5:
The principal and DRE have primary responsibility for implementing Education Commission policies. Therefore, it is essential that they participate in all Education Commission meetings so that their input and expertise can be used in developing educational policies.
Section 6:
In response to suggestions and concerns expressed by Parish members and parents/guardians of children participating in St. Vivian educational programs, the Education Commission may as appropriate transmit these issues to the proper educational leader.
Section 7:
The Education Commission keeps accurate records of approved policies and minutes of its meetings and makes these available to the Parish.
Section 8:
The Education Commission periodically reviews policy documents pertaining to the educational programs in St. Vivian Parish, including educational handbooks (e.g., school and Teacher/Staff) and the Commission's Constitution and By-Laws at least every 2 years.
Section 9:
The Education Commission establishes policies concerning the recruitment, hiring, and retention of all teachers and educational administrative personnel.
Section 10:
The Education Commission establishes and reviews yearly and long range goals regarding the growth and development of Parish educational needs.
Section 11:
The Education Commission establishes mechanisms to evaluate the effectiveness of the policies it has developed.
Section 12:
Liaisons with Parish educational programs (including the school, PSR, special religious education, preschool, adult education, and other relevant activities that involve formal teaching and learning) usually are appointed by the chairperson with Commission approval at the June meeting so that input from these groups can be considered as the Commission develops its yearly and long term goals.
Section 1:
The Education Commission shall be composed of :
(a) Nine voting members who are registered, practicing Catholic parishioners of St. Vivian Parish, and one appointed at the discretion of the Pastor.(b) Non-voting, ex-officio members: the Pastor, Principal, Director of Religious Education (DRE), Director of Youth Ministry, Pastoral Associate, Teacher Representative, and related personnel.
Section 2 :
The term of office for voting members is three years and voting members may serve not more than two terms consecutively. As terms are completed, the number of vacancies occurring will be filled. Normally this means three vacancies per year.
Section 3 :
All registered practicing Catholic parishioners 18 years of age or older shall be eligible for election to the Commission, except for full time salaried employees of the Parish educational program. An election committee appointed by the chairperson, with the pastor's and Commission's approval, will accept nominations from the parish and individuals wishing to become candidates. The election committee may also solicit qualified candidates, particularly to help insure diverse representation. The nominations and elections procedures are coordinated with those of Parish Council.
Section 4 :
Nominations and elections must be made in accordance with the St. Vivian "Election Process for Parish Council and Education Commission" guidelines.
Section 5:
The candidates should be ranked according to the number of votes received. Rankings shall be recorded officially by the Commission chairperson.
Section 6:
Newly elected members shall enter office at the scheduled June meeting, at which time completed terms will expire.
Section 7:
A vacancy on the Commission shall be filled for the complete unexpired term from the list of candidates of the most recent Commission election in the following manner: 1st runner up, second runner up, etc. If the vacancy cannot be filled in this manner, the position will be filled by an appointment made by the Pastor and the Commission.
Section 8:
Members of the Education Commission must attend all Commission meetings. If an elected or appointed member misses three regularly scheduled meetings in one school year, Commission action is required to address the situation.
Section 1:
The officers of the Commission shall consist of a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary. These positions shall be elected annually by the Commission membership at the June meeting. In the event of an office vacancy, the Commission will elect a new officer(s) to complete the unexpired term.
Section 2:
All voting members of the Commission are eligible for elective office.
Section 3:
The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
(a)The chairperson shall preside at all regular and special meetings of the Commission.
(b)The vice-chairperson shall perform all the duties of the chairperson when that person is absent or unable to act.
(c)The secretary shall be responsible for all correspondence, and for recording, transcribing, and distributing minutes.
Section 1:
The chairperson of the Education Commission, after consultation with the members of the Commission, shall appoint such committees and individuals as necessary to conduct the business of the Commission. Such committees and individuals will continue to perform their functions until their tasks are completed and they are discharged, or until other members have been appointed. Non-members may serve on such committees when there is a need for their particular competencies.
Section 2:
An Education Commission finance representative shall be appointed at the June meeting and shall be a member of the Parish Temporal Affairs Commission. This representative will work with the Principal and Temporal Affairs Commission to prepare the school and religious education budgets.
Section 3:
An Education Commission representative shall serve on the Parish Tuition Review Committee.
Section 4:
Liaisons with Parish educational programs (including the school, PSR, special religious education, preschool, adult formation/education, and other relevant activities that involve formal teaching and learning)usually are appointed by the chairperson with Commission approval at the June meeting so that input from these groups can be considered as the Commission develops its yearly and long term goals.
Section 1:
Education Commission meetings will be held in September, November, January, March, May, and June. Meetings in October, February, and April are optional. Extra meetings may be called at the discretion of the ex-officio members and/or the chairperson. Regular meetings will not be scheduled in December, July, and August.
Section 2:
For the purpose of transacting official business, it shall be necessary that a two-thirds majority of the voting members be present.
Section 3:
All meetings of the Commission, unless designated Executive, are open. Decisions made in Executive sessions must be presented and voted on at open sessions before becoming effective.
Section 4:
The rights of members and non-members to address the Commission shall normally be honored at a designated time.
Section 5:
Any subject to be placed on the agenda must be submitted in writing to the chairperson two weeks prior to the meeting .
Section 6:
Agenda items for regular meetings or Executive sessions of the Commission may be submitted by any registered parishioner, by members of the parish educational staff, or by non-parishioners or guardians of children who attend St. Vivian School or PSR.
Section 7:
The agenda for meetings will be prepared by the chairperson, in collaboration with the pastor, principal, and DRE.
.
Section 1:
The rule of parliamentary procedure as contained in Robert's "Rules of Order, Revised" shall govern meetings of the Commission.
Section 2:
The ordinary order of meetings shall be:
- Prayer / Reflection
- Approval of Minutes
- Communications (open to parish members)
- Reports: (pastor, DRE, principal, finance, committees, and liaisons)
- Unfinished Business
- New Business
- Announcements
- Adjournment
The order may be modified by the Chairperson as necessary.
Section 1:
This constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of the Education Commission voting membership subject to regulations and policies of the Archdiocesan Education Commission and the St. Vivian Parish Council.
Section 2:
Proposed Amendments must be presented to the Commission chairperson in writing two weeks prior to voting on them.
Section 1:
This Constitution shall be considered ratified and in effect when approved by the Education Commission and the Parish Council, signed by the Pastor, and placed in the Parish permanent records. A copy also must be sent to the Archdiocesan Education Office.
This document was signed by Fr. Jack Filippine, Pastor, John Hadden,
President of Parish Council and Joe Zins, Chairperson of Education
Commission on September 8, 1999.