Bishop Appoints Boards for Regional School Systems  

Bishop Martino has appointed the members of the four regional boards that will guide the operation of Diocesan Catholic schools.

The boards are part of the new governance model that is being implemented under the Strategic Plan developed by Meitler Consultants, the national firm that coordinated the study and reorganization of Diocesan Catholic schools.

Previously, the schools were operated by individual parishes or boards of pastors. Now, four regional Catholic school systems (Pre-K to 12) have been established: the Holy Cross System for Lackawanna/Wayne/Bradford Counties, the Holy Redeemer System for Luzerne County , the St. John Neumann System for Lycoming County , and the Notre Dame System for Monroe County .

In Pike County , the Diocese and local officials are reviewing the data compiled by Meitler Consultants for their study of the schools. A recommendation concerning the future of Catholic education in that area is forthcoming.

The four regional systems are supported by all parishes of the Diocese, and each system now has a board of clergy and lay members with delegated authority and responsibility. These are boards of limited jurisdiction.

Each system also has a director who is responsible for the day-to-day administration and operation of the system. The director will implement the policies determined by the Diocese and the system board, and will supervise the principals within the system.

In addition, the new governance model also establishes a Corporation Board in each system that retains reserved powers. The members of the Corporation Board are the Bishop, the Vicar for Administration, Chancellor, Episcopal Vicar for the Pastoral Region (in which a given regional school system is located), the Diocesan Secretary for Financial Services, and the Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education/Superintendent of Schools.

The bylaws of the governance structure emphasize that “The schools shall have as their primary purpose the intellectual and spiritual development of students according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Roman Catholic Church. As schools of the Diocese of Scranton, the schools shall operate in accordance with the teachings, doctrines, and policies of the Roman Catholic Church as set forth by the Most Reverend Bishop and the Diocese of Scranton.”

Corporation Board

The Corporation Board (also known as Members of the Corporation) retains the following “reserved powers”:

1. Ensure that the schools are faithful to their mission as Catholic schools.

2. Approve all personnel structures, organizations and contracts pertinent to the operation of the schools.

3. Approve any acquisition, sale, lease or encumbrance of property by the Corporation.

4. Approve opening or closing of schools or significant changes within the nature of a school.

5. Appoint and dismiss the System Director for the Holy Cross Regional School System after consultation with the Board of Directors.

6. Approve annual operating budgets as submitted by the Board of Directors.

7. Approve capital campaigns.

8. Approve all expenditures in excess of $25,000.

9. Approve any changes to charter or bylaws.

10. Appoint and/or remove members of the Board of Directors.

11. Appoint auditors for the Corporation.

12. Appoint administrators for the Schools.

13. Approve any merger or dissolution of the Corporation and designate transfer of assets in the event of dissolution.

Regional Boards of Directors

The regional Boards of Directors are appointed by the Members of the Corporation. Subject to the reserved powers retained by the Corporation Board, the regional boards “shall govern the schools in such a manner as to assure a sound Catholic educational program, consistent with Diocesan policies.” Specifically, the regional boards are constituted as boards of limited jurisdiction and shall:

1. Develop and enact policy after consultation with the Superintendent of Schools and the System Director.

2. Ensure that the schools provide a quality program of academic and religious instruction and formation.

3. Oversee the general business and financial matters of the Schools.

4. Hold the System Director accountable for implementation of policies established by the Board, and for the overall operation of the Schools.

5. Determine tuition and other related fees and costs.

6. Establish an annual balanced budget for the Schools.

7. Establish policies for the use of grounds and buildings comprising the campuses, subject to the rights of ownership of the property by the individual parishes.

8. Develop a vision and long-range plan for the Schools in cooperation with the System Director and Superintendent of Schools.

9. Initiate and Oversee the raising of funds needed to support the budget.

10. Assist the Superintendent of Schools in the annual evaluation of the System Director according to criteria and process jointly approved by the Superintendent of Schools and the board.

11. Conduct an annual self-evaluation of board operation.

12. Recommend new candidates to the Members of the Corporation for appointment to the Board of Directors.

13. Regularly communicate the concerns, plans and decisions of the Board of Directors to the Superintendent of Schools and System Director.

Regional School System Directors

The System Directors are the Chief Administrative Officers of the schools in their regions. The System Directors shall:

1. Evaluate the operation of each school to ensure there is adequate professional teaching staff and that there are effective administrative procedures in place.

2. Direct the principals in the development of the educational program and in the improvement of instruction in the schools.

3. Establish the annual operational budget with the Board of Directors and submit it to the Corporation Board for approval.

4. Assist the Diocesan Finance Office in the supervision of the business offices of the schools.

5. Cooperate with the Board and development personnel, in raising annual income.

6. Interpret System policies to all school personnel and the community at large.

7. Direct the implementation of Diocesan policy within the schools.

8. Provide regular and accurate program reports including academic, financial, and any other pertinent information to the Members of the Corporation, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Board of Directors.

9. Meet on a regular basis with parent organizations so that their concerns and issues are communicated to the Board of Directors.

10. Coordinate the use of parish facilities for school events with principals and pastors.

Faculty

The relationship between the regional System Boards and the faculty shall be characterized by mutual support, good communication, and cooperation. The System Director represents the faculty to the Board. From time to time, principals and teachers may be invited to share information with the Board on matters concerning the schools. The Board shall have no role in hiring, evaluating, or terminating teachers and staff.

Superintendent of Schools

The Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Scranton has the following relationship to the schools:

1. As the Bishop’s education officer for Catholic schools for the Diocese of Scranton, the Superintendent of Schools is to see that the Regional School Systems operate in keeping with proper educational standards; provides excellent quality education programs; fulfill the mission of the Church to teach its religious and moral doctrine; have sufficient and appropriate faculty, staff and administrators; and function in accord with Church and Diocesan policy as well as state regulations for educational institutions.

2. The Superintendent of Schools has the responsibility to sign the System Directors’ contracts and to evaluate the System Directors annually.

The Diocese has retained the services of Catholic School Management, Inc. to aid in the transition to the new governance model, in particular the development of the Regional System Boards.

The firm, based in Madison , Conn. , specializes in providing consultative guidance, training programs and publications for Catholic educational systems. Since 1973, the firm as worked in more than 150 dioceses and more than 3,000 schools worldwide.

On Oct. 18 the firm conducted an information session for prospective members of the Regional System Boards.

The boards will meet at least six times a year, beginning this month. They will elect officers and appoint the following committees: Executive, Finance, Development and Marketing, Facilities, Nominating, and Long-Range Planning. The committees may also enlist the help of other resources in the community.

Joseph Casciano, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools, said the new governance structure is designed to provide the expertise and resources needed to manage a comprehensive diocesan-wide school system.

“Operating schools that satisfy the expectations and realities of the 21^st century is a challenging task, but Catholic education is vital to the mission of the Church and we are prepared to fulfill that mission,” he said.

Holy Cross System Board
Lackawanna/Wayne/Bradford Counties  

Kathleen Hanlon, Holy Cross System director; Father Philip Altavilla,V.E., Episcopal Vicar, Northern Pastoral Region; Joseph Burkhart, Sayre, owner, Joe’s Marine, Inc.; Father John Doris, pastor, St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/All Saints/St. Casimir parishes, Dunmore; Theresa Ferrario, Dunmore; member of Local Consultative Group, Diocesan Strategic Planning for Catholic Schools; Gerard M. Karam, Dickson City, partner, Mazzoni & Karam Law Firm; Michael McDonald, Dunmore, partner, Foley Law Firm; Christopher Mellon, Greenfield Township, president and CEO, Maines Paper & Food Service; Joseph F. Pigga, CPA, Dunmore, principal, Parente Randolph, LLC accounting firm; Ann Marie Simons, Beach Lake, teacher, Wallenpaupack Area School District; Marie E. Sokol, O.D., Old Forge, doctor of optometry, adjunct faculty, Northampton Community College; Monsignor David L. Tressler, pastor, St. Patrick’s/St. David’s Parish, Scranton; Anthony J. Yanni, M.D., Scranton, Sanofi Pasteur Research.

Holy Redeemer System Board
Luzerne County  

Susan Dennen, Holy Redeemer System director; Father Michael Quinnan, V.E., Episcopal Vicar, Southern Pastoral Region; Mark Casper, Exeter, service manager, Medico Industries; William T. Finnegan, Kingston, partner, Mahler, Shaffer, Pugliese & Finnegan Law Firm; William M. Jones, Mountaintop, vice president and COO, Volunteers of America of PA, Inc.; Jennifer Kebles, CPA, Wilkes-Barre, finance manager and real estate developer; Deacon Eugene Kovach, St. Jude Parish, Mountaintop; John McCarthy, Trucksville, McCarthy Tire, past chairman, Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center Board of Directors; Carol Nicholas, Courtdale, Court Advocate Program, Catholic Social Services; Father Thomas O’Malley, pastor, St. Leo’s Church, Ashley; Adeline M. Orloski, R.N., Mountaintop, retired vice president, Orloski’s Quik Mart; Father John Terry, pastor, Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Wilkes-Barre.

St. John Neumann System Board
Lycoming County  

Susan Kaiser, St. John Neumann System director; Monsignor Neil VanLoon, V.E., Episcopal Vicar, Western Pastoral Region; Monsignor Francis Castellano, pastor, Mater Dolorosa Church, Williamsport;  Nicholas R. Catino, Montoursville, owner/manager, Master Contractors, Inc.; Robert Klein, Williamsport, insurance agent; Marty Marty, Williamsport, retired, former Department Head, Missouri State University; Monsignor Stephen McGough, pastor, St. Boniface Church, Williamsport; Mary Louise Pasnello, Williamsport, retail merchandiser, National In Store; Frank Pellegrino, Williamsport, vice president of PRIMUS Technologies, CEO of Dice Surgical & Home Health; Stephen Shoulder, Williamsport, vice president/general counsel, Beiters, Inc.

Notre Dame System Board
Monroe County  

Jeffrey Lyons, Notre Dame System director; Father Jeffrey Walsh, V.E., Episcopal Vicar, Eastern Pastoral Region; Father Richard Czachor, pastor, Our Lady of Victory Church, Tannersville; Sister Barbara J. Kowalik, S.C.C., Tobyhanna, retired, former Catholic school teacher; Michael Maher, MBA, Ph.D., Pocono Pines, retired; Father Thomas McLaughlin, pastor, St. Luke’s Church, Stroudsburg; Ron Meyer, Bartonsville, retired, former superintendent of schools, East Stroudsburg and Stroudsburg; Peter Nish, Scotrun, retired, former assistant superintendent, Pocono Mountain School District; Frank Rushen, Stroudsburg, retired, former CEO, Laird Technology.  

Joseph G. Casciano,  Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools, is an ex officio member of each System Board.