Consultative School Boards
Elementary schools in the
Archdiocese of Los Angeles may have a consultative school board to assist the school community in its essential
goals of educating young people and passing on the Catholic faith and its traditions to students.
The purpose of the consultative school board is to promote broader participation in the operations of the school, to invite administrative and financial counsel in formulating school policies, and to assist in devising and maintaining plans designed to assure the school's success. The consultative school board may be engaged in such matters as planning, policy development, financing, development, technology, public relations, buildings and grounds, alumni relations, marketing and evaluation of the board's goals, and activities of the board.
Consultative school boards are required to work with other established groups in the school and parish community, including a parent-teacher organization, the parish council, and the
Parish Finance Council. No more than one-third of the board membership should be the parents/guardians of currently enrolled students.
Consultative school boards serve at the pleasure of the pastor and principal. The board acts as counsel to the pastor and principal, but has no authority to act on behalf of the school or to bind the school to any course of action. The pastor and principal shall in good faith consider whether to accept the board's counsel.; no board-recommended action should conflict with applicable
Church laws, archdiocesan policies and practices, or civil law.
Schools that wish to establish a consultative school board should contact the regional superintendent at the Department of Catholic Schools to obtain assistance and models for investigation, education, and planning. See the
Elementary School Consultative School Board: Constitution and Bylaws (sample).
1-25-2022, 6-29-2022, 7-30-2026