As noted in the history of Catholic schools in the archdiocese, religious institutes of women and men were a cornerstone of Catholic education and they continue to make important contributions to archdiocesan, parish, and private Catholic schools.
When a religious organization is charged with the administration and staffing of a school, the Department of Catholic Schools and a religious institute enter into a written operating agreement covering the relationship. The principal's appointment should follow the hiring procedure outlined in this handbook and the principal has the same relationship with and accountability to the Department of Catholic Schools as any other principal of an archdiocesan or parish school. In matters pertaining to the religious institute's ministry of education, the Department of Catholic Schools is also the local Church's official liaison to the religious institutes serving in these schools (Canon 806). All compensation arrangements for religious staff members in these religious institution-run schools are pursuant to a written contract for services between the religious institute and the school. All lay staff in a school administered by a religious organization are employed in the form and on the terms specified annually by the archdiocese.
When an individual religious makes a personal commitment to administer, teach, or otherwise minister in a Catholic school, the Department of Catholic Schools and the religious institute to which the individual belongs, the school, the religious institute, and the individual religious enter into a written agreement covering the relationship. The individual religious is subject to the policies and procedures of the archdiocese and the school in connection with his or her role at the school.
