Governance
Governance
Catholic Mission Schools is conducted as a cooperative venture of governing bodies: The Board of Members, the Board of Directors, the administrations, the staff and the students. Catholic Mission Schools is a private, non-profit secondary educational institution under the authorization of the Catholic Church of Palau and the Bishop of the Diocese of the Caroline Islands.
Board of Members
The Board of Members is the legal governing body of Catholic Mission Schools, and has the following exclusive and reserved powers to:
- Approve decisions with respect to the purchase, sale, mortgage, lease or other disposition of real property of the Corporation;
- Adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, merger; consolidation or dissolution of the Corporation;
- Adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the corporation’s By-laws;
- Elect and approve members of the Board of Directors and remove members of the Board of Directors;
- Approve appointment of the Director Catholic Mission Schools;
- Approve changes in the philosophy or mission of Catholic Mission Schools.
Board of Directors
Subject to the exclusive powers reserved to the Members of the Corporation, the general affairs of this corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors which shall consist of at least three members to be elected and to serve in accordance with the By-laws of this corporation. Subject to the exclusive powers reserved to the Members of the Corporation, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for the management and control of the business and affairs of this corporation and shall have all those powers provided by law to boards of directors. It is the Board of Directors which evaluates the Director’s performance of his/her duties.
Director
The Director of Catholic Mission Schools has an overall responsibility of the Catholic Mission Schools. His/her appointment is approved by the Board of Members. He is expected to impart his vision for the school to the school community. Hence, an important part of his/her job is to determine school goals and policies together with the Board of Directors and the Principals.
The Director, in consultation with the Episcopal Vicar will:
- Be the animator of Catholic Mission Schools’ vision.
- Have the ultimate responsibility for the care and development of all Catholic Mission Schools’ stakeholders.
The director, in consultation with the principals will:
- Oversee the Catholic Mission Schools’ curriculum and school calendars;
- Oversee the care and development of the campus and its facilities;
- Supervise the finances of the school;
- Fundraise on behalf of the Catholic Mission Schools;
- With the principals, recruit new teachers and hire staff, and have the final say on any dismissal;
- Will be consulted by the principals regarding the acceptance and dismissal of students;
- Serve as liaison to the government and community;
Additionally, the Director will:
- Serve as an ex-officio voting member of the Board of Directors;
- Evaluate the Principals’ performances;
- Be evaluated by the Board of Directors.
Principals
The principals of Catholic Mission Schools are recommended for hire by the Director of Catholic Mission Schools to the Board of Directors for their approval. Principals report directly to the Director of Catholic Mission Schools. Principals supervise the daily academic running of the school. The principals have immediate authority over curriculum and instruction, teaching staff development, testing and counseling.
Principals will:
- Reinforce the spirit of the mission of Catholic Mission Schools in respective campuses;
- Assign teaching responsibilities to faculty;
- Plan and conduct orientation and continuing staff development for teachers;
- Conduct teacher evaluations and classroom observations;
- Construct the class schedule and assign students to class sections;
- Assist the Director as primary animator of the WASC accreditation process;
- Assign teaching staff as subject department heads;
- Coordinate the purchase of textbooks and other learning resources;
- Create the annual school calendar;
- Facilitate quarterly assessment and make arrangements for tutoring;
- Maintain accurate enrollment and statistics;
- Organize quarterly academic assessment procedures;
- Schedule and coordinate all standardized testing
- Supervise class and activity moderators;
- Monitor attendance and repeated absences (with the assistance of the Dean ofStudents)
- Coordinates with the tasks of vice principal, dean of students, secretary and financialstaff.
- Attend the PTA officers meetings and the Principals/Director’s meetings;
- Supervise student conduct during the school day (with the assistance of the Dean ofStudents)
- Communicate with parents and sponsors;
- Schedule and coordinate the administration of entrance exams, select new students;
- Be an ex-officio non-voting member of their respective Board of Directors;
- In consultation with the Director of Catholic Mission Schools, the principal may name anAssistant Principal and/or temporary delegate specific responsibilities of the Principal to other staff members as needed. Responsibilities and parameters of the Assistant Principal or temporary Co-Administrator is to be conveyed to the Director of the Catholic Mission Schools and the school staff.