​​​6.3.2 Location Signing Authority and Approvals​

​Spending authority and approvals vary depending on whether the location is a parish, high school, or elementary school.
 
​​6.3.2.1 ​Parish Signing Authority and Approvals​​​​​​​

A ​parish may spend up to $20,000 on any given purchase or service without prior approval from the Archdi​​ocesan Catholic Center (ACC). Only pastors/administrators are authorized to sign up to the $20,000 discretionary limit. Pastors/administrators are authorized to sign small construction project contracts up to $30,000.

Any expense above $20,000 must receive prior approval from the regional bishop and the appropriate office at the ACC.

Parishes must also obtain approval from the regional bishop, the Office of the Legal Counsel, and any appropriate archdiocesan department for any multiyear contracts or agreements, any contracts or agreements that extend beyond the current budget year, or any contracts or agreements where the aggregate amount of the payment commitment exceeds $20,000.

Significant additional limits on authority that apply to real estate leases and other real property transactions are identified in Real Estate Policies and Procedures. The pastor may designate one member of the Finance Council to review and approve disbursements not exceeding $3,000 when the pastor is absent for an extended period of time.

The Location Technology Checklist should be completed before purchasing or leasing computers, laptops, or similar devices.

6.3.2.2 Archdiocesan High School Signing Authority and Approvals

Archdiocesan high school principals are authorized to:   

• Issue payments or checks of $20,000 or less, other than preapproved and budgeted recurring expenses such as insurance and payroll
  

• Sign contracts for up to $20,000, subject to the limits of the approved budget
  

• Sign a one-year agreement with teaching staff according to the salary schedule, after a Request for Employment of Classified/Non-Exempt Staff for new hires has been signed by the assistant superintendent
  

• Enter into service contracts up to $20,000 for the current year, subject to review by the Office of the Legal Counsel
  

• Purchase motor vehicles, but only with the prior approval of the Department of Catholic Schools and after all necessary requirements of the Insurance Department are met.
  

Principals must also obtain approval from the Department of Catholic Schools, the Office of the Legal Counsel, and any appropriate archdiocesan department for any multiyear contracts or agreements, any contracts or agreements that extend beyond the current budget year, or any contracts or agreements where the aggregate amount of the payment commitment exceeds $20,000. Payments exceeding $20,000 require signatures or approvals from two authorized signatories.

Significant additional limits on authority that apply to real estate leases and other real property transactions are identified in Real Estate Policies and Procedures.

The Location Technology Checklist should be completed before purchasing or leasing computers, laptops, or similar devices.

6.3.2.3 Parish High School Signing Authority and Approvals

Parish high school principals are authorized to:

• Sign a one-year agreement with teaching staff according to the salary schedule; for new employees at parish high schools, a Request for Employment of Classified Staff must be signed by the assistant superintendent prior to hiring
  

• Purchase operating supplies and services up to $20,000 for the current year, within the limits of the approved budget and subject to prior review, as applicable, by the Office of the Legal Counsel
  

Principals must also obtain approval from the Department of Catholic Schools, the Office of the Legal Counsel, and any appropriate archdiocesan department for any multiyear contracts or agreements, any contracts or agreements that extend beyond the current budget year, or any contracts or agreements where the aggregate amount of the payment commitment exceeds $20,000.

Significant additional limits on authority that apply to real estate leases and other real property transactions are identified in Real Estate Policies and Procedures.

The Location Technology Checklist should be completed before purchasing or leasing computers, laptops, or similar devices.

6.3.2.4 Elementary School Signing Authority and Approvals

​Elementary school principals are authorized to:

• Sign employment contracts for teachers with the pastor's co-signature
  

• Sign contracts and incur costs for up to $3,000 (subject to the limits of the approved budget)
  

• Approve recurring expenses for items that exceed $3,000, such as health insurance and payroll, so long as the items are included in the budget and have been preapproved by the pastor
  

Significant additional limits on authority that apply to real estate leases and other real property transactions are identified in Real Estate Policies and Procedures.

Elementary school principals are not authorized to be the sole signatory of construction and repair contracts in any amount; all such contracts must be signed by the pastor/administrator, who may ask the principal to cosign to confirm that the cost has been budgeted and properly approved.

Because elementary schools are part of the parish, all authority and approvals not identified in this section are subject to the rules set forth in Parish ​Authority and Approvals.

The Location Technology Checklist should be completed before purchasing or leasing computers, laptops, or similar devices.