Diocese of Tucson School Board Mission Statement

The Diocese of Tucson School Board, with the approval of the Bishop, advises the Diocesan School Superintendent and promotes Catholic education by encouraging commitment TO TEACH AS JESUS DID. In so doing, the educational mission of the church embraces three dimensions: message, fellowship and service.

ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The St. Ambrose Catholic School community, through the grace, teachings and example of Jesus Christ, provides its students with a spiritual and academic foundation from which to achieve excellence.

ARTICLE I

Title The name of this body shall be St. Ambrose Advisory School Board.

ARTICLE II

Nature and Function This Board is an advisory board working in conjunction with the Pastor and Principal of St. Ambrose Catholic Parish and School, Tucson, Arizona. The function of the Advisory School Board is to evaluate and oversee the policies which apply to the faculty, students and parents within our community. In fulfilling its mission, the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board shall follow the intent and spirit of the policies as put forth by the Diocese of Tucson School Board.

ARTICLE III

Composition of St. Ambrose Advisory School Board The St. Ambrose Advisory School Board shall consist of the 9 elected members, one Appointed member (appointed by the Principal), and the Pastor, Principal and Director of the Pre-school shall serve as "ex-officio" members. The elected members have voting rights. Elected members shall be a parent or guardian of a St. Ambrose Catholic School student or an active registered member of St. Ambrose Parish. Only one member from each immediate family may serve as an elected member of the school board at a given time. At least seven of the nine elected members shall be school parents. The duties and functions of the School Advisory Board shall be outlined in the by-laws. Officers The Officers of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Finance Officer and Secretary. The terms of each officer shall be one year. The vice-president shall become president the following year. All elected members of the board are eligible for all other offices. The duties of the officers shall be as outlined in the by-laws. Term of Membership Each elected member shall serve a term of three years limited to (two) consecutive terms. The appointed member will have a one year term. A board members term may be extended for one additional year to serve as and officer, this may occur one year only. Removal from the Board

1. Any elected or appointed member with 3 consecutive or 3 total unexcused absences from regular scheduled meetings in the course of a calendar year may be replaced by the president of the board. Any vacancy occurring on the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board will be filled by the nominee not elected who received the largest amount of votes in the previous election, an expedited special election or by an appointment by the President of the Board. The method chosen will be by the President of the Board in conjunction with the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board.
   
   
2. Removal for Cause: A Board member may be dismissed for any other just reason and shall be subject to a majority vote of the nine elected members. Any dismissal is subject to the approval of the Pastor and Principal. Conduct The members of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board are bound by the considerations of confidentiality and ethics appropriate to a Catholic ministry including all school and Diocese Policies.

ARTICLE IV

Amendments This Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of all nine elected board members. Any changes to the constitution must be presented in writing to the School Advisory Board at a regular meeting and shall not be voted on sooner than the next regular scheduled meeting. The by-laws may be adopted or amended by a vote of two-thirds of all nine elected members. Any changes to the By- Laws must be presented in writing to the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board at a regular meeting and shall not be voted on sooner than the next regular scheduled meeting. The By-Laws shall be reviewed annually. All changes are subject to the approval of the Pastor and principal.

By-Law

ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

The St. Ambrose Catholic School community, through the grace, teachings and example of Jesus Christ, provides its students with a spiritual and academic foundation from which to achieve excellence.

Duties and Functions of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board:

This Board shall:

1. Advise the Pastor and Principal regarding policies of the School.
2. Assist in compliance with policies outlined by the Diocese of Tucson, the State of Arizona andNational accrediting agencies.
3. Create better understanding and support for Catholic education.
4. Maintaining rapport and open communication with the administration, faculty, staff, student
   body and families of St. Ambrose.
5. Assist with the on-going evaluation of the effectiveness of the educational programs.
6. Consult on policies for tuition rates, budget and other financial matters relating to the operation
   of the school.
7. Advocate and promote the school within and throughout the community.
8. Interface with the parish on matters of mutual concern.
9. Evaluate and recognize the operation of varying groups and individuals within the school
   community.
10. Assist in the search and hiring of a school principal in accordance to Diocesan policy.
11. Cultivate new parental leadership.
12. Provide vision, direction and action for the physical improvement of the school in conjunction
    with the parish community.

Appointment and Election of Members

1. In March the full board will begin to seek interested candidates, with the principal sending out an announcement of board vacancies, inviting candidates to submit applications, resumes or a letter of intent. Solicitation of prospective candidates will be made before April 30th. Board members electing to serve a second term shall give notice to the board before March 30th of the final year of their first term. This list will be reviewed by the Principal, Advisory Board and Pastor.
   
   
2. Tobe eligible for St. Ambrose Advisory School Board membership, persons must: a. Meet St. Ambrose Advisory School Board eligibility membership requirements as
   stated in the Constitution. b. Demonstrate genuine concern in serving the best interests of the St. Ambrose school
   community. c. Be actively involved in the school. d. Make a firm commitment of time and participate fully in Board ministry.
   
   
3. The prospective candidate would be asked to provide the following information:
   
   
   1. Personal information (name, address and family information)
   2. Y ears in school and/or parish
   3. Previous commissions/committees on which they have served
   4. Reason for volunteering
   5. Specific talents or gifts they can offer
   6. Specific areas of interest
   7. Ability to attend the monthly meetings on a regular basis
   8. Reasons that would prevent a candidate from completing the term of office
      
      
4. The nominating committee selected by the board will interview candidates. Recommendations of the nominating committee will be presented to the full Board for consideration.
   
   
5. On or before the May Board Meeting, the full St. Ambrose Advisory School Board shall review the candidates. At the May board meeting the board shall vote on new members. The election results shall be presented to the Pastor for approval.
   
   
6. Newly elected St. Ambrose Advisory School Board members will be presented at the summer Board meeting.

Duties of Officers

The duties of the officers are:

1. PRESIDENT: The President acts as presiding officer of the Board and executes, on behalf of
   the Board, all written instruments except as otherwise directed by the Board. The President shall set the agenda for the board meetings in consultation with the principal. The President may appoint ad hoc committees as needed. The President shall assign extra duties to board members as needed.
   
   
2. VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President, at the request of or in the absence of the President shall perform the duties and exercise the functions of the President.
   
   
3. FINANCE OFFICER: The Finance Officer shall meet with the principal to review the monthly financial reports and present them to the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board at each regular meeting.
   
   
4. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall maintain a written record of the acts of the board, keep the minutes of the Board, publish the agenda and minutes of the board to the school community, and receive and distribute all correspondence as assigned by the President or the Board.
   St. Ambrose Advisory Board Procedures
   
   
   1. Meetings The Board shall meet monthly during the school year and at other such times as the President may call.
      
      
   2. Agenda and Minutes The agenda shall include minutes of the previous meeting, Call to the Audience, Reports, New and Old Business and policy issue. Agenda items shall be submitted to the President or the Principal in writing no less than ten days in advance of the next regular scheduled meeting. Additional agenda items may not occur without a majority vote of the Board. New Items will be placed on the next regular scheduled meeting agenda.
      
      
   3. Conduct of Meetings The rule of parliamentary procedure as contained in Robert's Rule (revised) shall govern meetings of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board.
      
      
   4. Quorum and Voting A majority of the total membership is necessary for a quorum for conducting a board meeting. A majority vote of elected members shall be required for any decision or election, other than as specified here in. The Principal may vote only in tie situations.
      
      
   5. Right to Address All regular meetings of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board shall be open to members of St. Ambrose Parish, faculty, student body, and parents/guardians of children attending St. Ambrose Catholic School. The right of non-members to address the Board may be limited to those whose written petition has been presented for inclusion on the agenda prior to the scheduled Board meeting. 6. Public and Executive Sessions All meetings of the St. Ambrose Advisory School Board are open meetings unless otherwise designated. The president may declare an executive session at anytime, including during an open meeting. Matters discussed in executive session must be voted on at a regular School Board meeting before becoming effective.

Committees

Standing committees shall be established and/or dissolved by the board and are subject to annual review. Standing committees and are meant to help fulfill the function of the board as described in Article II of the Constitution. Committee members shall be appointed to their respective Committee by a vote of the Board. Committees will hold meetings outside of the Board Meetings as directed by the Board, and will report to the Board on all activities at each Board Meeting. The duties of each committee shall be established by the Board.

Temporary (ad hoc) committees and their member shall be established and/or dissolved by the President of the Board. Access This Constitution and by laws shall be held on file at the school and parish offices and will be available for review upon written request by faculty, staff, student body and parents/guardians of children receiving their education under the auspices of the parish.