RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL BYLAWS (Draft)

 

 

PREAMBLE:  SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

 

The Constitution of Resurrection Lutheran Church, as provided for by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, affirms that “all power in the Church belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ, its head…(and) all actions of this Congregation are to be carried out under his rule and authority.”   Within that context, the Constitution acknowledges that “the powers of this Congregation are vested (in its members and voiced) in the Congregation Meeting”.                            

 

While the overarching authority resides with the Congregation, specific authority and responsibility is conferred in and assigned to the Congregation Council and to the Pastor(s).  In general, the Council “shall have general oversight of the life and activities of this Congregation….to set goals and priorities…. to evaluate its activities in light of its mission and goals… (and) to oversee and provide for the administration of this Congregation”.  Further, the Council “shall be responsible for the financial and property matters…. (and) for employment and supervi­sion of the salaried lay workers of this Congregation.

 

For Pastors, their paramount responsibility and authority is to provide for the spiritual leadership in the life of the Congregation.  In addition to participating on the Council in the general oversight of the Congregation, they also are charged with “supervise(ing) all schools and organizations of this Congregation”.

 

Consistent with the Constitution, the Resurrection Lutheran Church School is considered to be one of the ministries of RLC and exists to support the mission and vision of the Congregation as part of an integrated ministry plan.  Accordingly, it is accountable to the Congregation through the Council, and under the overall supervision of the Pastor(s).

 

To support the Pastor(s) and the Congregation Council, and to further the overall mission of the church, various committees are established to provide advice, information and, as required, administration or administrative support.  They, too, are accountable to the Congregation through the Council and/or the Pastors.

 

Within this committee framework, the School Board is established.  Its specific focus is to oversee and support, on behalf of the Pastor(s) and the Council, the activities and functioning of the school so that it achieves its stated purposes and mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I:    GENERAL

                                   

The Resurrection Lutheran Church School is an organization of RLC whose purpose is to carry out a Christian education ministry as part of the total ministry plan of the Church.  As such, it is accountable to the congregation, and functions under the overall direction of the Congregation Council and the supervision of the Pastor(s).   Operational direction and guidance is provided by the School Board. 

 

As a matter of operational philosophy, the school is intended to be financially self-supporting to the maximum extent possible.  Nevertheless, since the school is integral to the overall ministry plan of the Church, this does not preclude the Council managing the total resources of the Church in a manner that best meets the Church’s overarching mission.

 

ARTICLE II:   SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

 

The mission of the RLC School is to serve the congregation and community through a Christ-centered program, nurturing the total child spiritually, academically, emotionally, and physically in a safe learning environment.

 

ARTICLE III: SCHOOL ADMISSION POLICY

 

Resurrection Lutheran Church School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

 

ARTICLE IV:  RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH SCHOOL BOARD

 

The School Board is one of the ministry committees of RLC that provide advice, information, and, as required, administration or administrative support in one of the designated ministry areas of the congregation.  In that regard, the Board is accountable to the congregation through the Council and/or the Pastor(s).

 

The focus for the School Board is education programs and related activities for young children that are not otherwise within the purview of the Education Committee and the Director of Family Life Ministry.  The School Board provides operational oversight and management of the school, through a Lead Teacher / School Director, and under the general direction of the Congregation Council and supervision of the Pastor(s).  The Council and the Pastor(s) maintain overall responsibility for all aspects of the school.

 

 

A.  School Board Functions:

 

1.        Prepare and propose a mission and/or purpose statement consistent with the mission and vision of the Congregation.

 

2.        Develop and propose to the Council and Pastor(s) for approval an educational program, including curriculum and administrative policies, that fulfills that mission and/or purpose, while meeting any requirements of the state of Virginia, as well as the ELCA’s requirements for certification.

 

3.        Prepare and annually review the position descriptions for the Lead Teacher / School Director, faculty, and staff including recommending annual compensation and benefits levels, , as appropriate within the framework of the RLC Personnel Policies Manual.

 

4.        Advise on the recruiting and filling of school positions, including the Lead Teacher / School Director, faculty and staff.

 

5.        Develop a proposed annual budget for all school operations to be submitted to the Congregation Council at such time as directed by the Council.

 

6.        Develop and propose policies to guide and direct the school.

 

7.        Work with, advise, and support the Lead Teacher / School Director who is responsible for the daily management of all aspects of the school’s operations.

 

8.        Provide for the financial management of the school, in concert with the Finance Committee. 

 

9.        Periodically, but no less than annually, formally evaluate the overall operations of the school to ensure that it is fulfilling its mission and purpose, that the educational program conforms to the approved curriculum, and that approved policies and processes are applied and adhered to. Report the results of that evaluation to the Pastor(s) and the Council, with any recommendations for changes.

 

10.     Prepare and present regular reports and plans to the Pastor(s) and Council, and, as required, to the Congregation.

 

11.     Provide for the promotion of the school, consistent with the overall needs, priorities, and interests of the Congregation’s total ministry plan.

 

12.     Provide for the overall administration of a possible future extended-care program as an adjunct to the school.

 

13.     Establish and oversee any subordinate committees or groups (e.g., parental advisory group) as necessary to carry out the overall responsibilities of the School Board.

 

 

B.  School Board Membership:

 

1.      The School Board shall be composed of a minimum of five voting members, including a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary, as Committee officers; and a Council Liaison.  In addition, the Pastor(s), Lead Teacher / School Director, and others deemed necessary and appropriate by the Council serve as non-voting ex-officio members.

 

2.      Board members are appointed by the Congregation Council for a term of 2 years.  There are no limitations in the number of consecutive terms a member may serve.  The Council may extend any member’s term up to one year to ensure that there is appropriate overlap and continuity. All Board members shall be members of RLC, active in the life of the Congregation, and a positive role model.

 

3.      Board officers are nominated by the Board and appointed by the Council for a one year term.  Officers may be re-appointed to consecutive terms. 

 

 

4.      Board members serve at the discretion of the Congregation Council, and may be removed for cause, including failure to attend two consecutive Committee meetings without prior approval of the Chair; a pattern of absences from Board meetings; or inactivity in the life of RLC, including non-regular attendance at worship services.

 

C.  The School Board Meetings:

 

1.      The School Board shall schedule regular business meetings.  As a minimum, such meetings will be monthly, and are open to members of RLC.  Parents of school students or other interested parties may attend at the invitation of the Chair.  The Board may elect to meet in closed session before, during or following the regular business meeting to discuss matters requiring confidentiality.  .

 

2.      Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chair, at the request of the Council, or at the request of three or more of the Board’s voting members.  Members must be informed of the reason for the meeting.  Only those issues about which members have been notified shall be discussed.  Notice of special meetings shall be given at least three days prior to the date of the meeting except:

                     - when an emergency is declared by the Chair, or in the                       absence of the Chair, by the Vice Chair; or

                     - when three or more voting members waive such notice                      after a meeting has been called by the chair.

 

3.      All meetings shall require a simple majority of voting members to constitute a quorum.

 

4.      In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall preside at all Board meetings and shall have the usual powers of the presiding officer.

 

ARTICLE V: THE PASTOR(S)

 

The Constitution of RLC outlines the responsibilities of the Pastor(s) and clearly establishes the spiritual leadership role in the life of the congregation.  This role is extended to the school as well.  This is consistent with the specific constitutional responsibility to “supervise all schools and organiza­tions of this Congregation”.

 

A.  Responsibilities:

 

1.      Interpret and visibly promote the childhood ministry to the Congregation and the community.

 

2.      Schedule and conduct regular (e.g., weekly) devotional and/or instructional activities for students consistent with the Christ-centered educational purpose of the school. 

 

3.      Participate in special school program activities and events whenever possible and as appropriate.

 

4.      Promote among faculty and staff a climate of ministering to students and their families and include the Lead Teacher / School Director as a member of the full RLC staff ministry team.

 

5.      Demonstrate commitment to the mission and goals of the school by maintaining appropriate visibility and involvement with respect to parents/guardians of school students.  Display a caring attitude toward families to promote parental trust in the Pastor(s) with concerns, needs or problems.      

 

6.      Serve as ex-officio member(s) of the School Board.

 

7.      In the constitutional role as supervisor of the school, provide general guidance and direction to the Lead Teacher / School Director and the School Board as they carry out their responsibilities in the operational management of the school.

 

           

ARTICLE VI: THE LEAD TEACHER / SCHOOL DIRECTOR

 

The Lead Teacher / School Director is responsible for the overall administration of the school, including the supervision of faculty and staff.

 

A.  Hiring of the Lead Teacher / School Director:

 

The School Board, shall be responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and recommending the selection of the Lead Teacher / School Director (as well as any additional faculty and staff) to the Congregation Council.  This includes open and fair competition for the position; interviewing any, all or none of the candidates; and making merit-based selection recommendations.  The Council will consider the recommendations and confirm or reject them.

 

The contract for the Lead Teacher / School Director-select (as well as any additional faculty and staff) will be negotiated by the School Committee Chair, based on financial and benefits parameters established by the Council.  The contract is ratified and signed by the Council.

 

B.  Supervision of the Lead Teacher / School Director:

 

The Lead Teacher / School Director shall receive general direction and supervision from the Pastor(s) consistent with policies, goals, and priorities established by the Congregation Council and shall be considered a member of the RLC staff ministry team. 

 

Direct supervision of the school operations and of its Lead Teacher / School Director shall be provided by the School Board, and shall:

            - reflect the RLC mission and vision,

            - conform to policies and priorities established by the Council, and - be consistent with the overall direction of the Pastor(s).

 

C.  Responsibilities of the Lead Teacher / School Director:

 

The Lead Teacher / School Director is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the school, consistent with policies established by the Council, and under the direction and guidance of the Pastor(s) and the School Board.  This includes:

 

1.      Plan for, implement, and administer the approved education program and curriculum while complying with all Council policies and priorities, and within budgetary parameters. 

 

2.      Establish and maintain a system of records necessary to administer school operations, and meet fiduciary and evaluation responsibilities.

 

3.      Recommend to the School Board requirements for hiring faculty and staff, including competencies and credentials required and/or desired.   Participate, as directed by the School Board, in the recruiting, interviewing and hiring process for faculty and staff.

 

4.      Provide the full range of direct supervision of faculty and staff.  As requested by the Board, the Lead Teacher / School Director shall make recommendations relative to annual compensation, benefits, or other changes to the conditions of employment within the framework of the RLC Personnel Policies Manual.

 

5.      Develop and, with approval of the School Board, implement a process to soliciting applications for school enrollment consistent with policies of full inclusion.  Make recommendations to the School Board for enrollment decisions, (including recommendations for subsequent student removal).  Inform applicant families of enrollment decisions.

 

6.      Plan for, seek approval for, procure, and manage all equipment, supplies, and other physical assets required by and for the school within budgetary parameters and direction provided.

 

7.      Participate, as directed by the School Board, in the development of a proposed annual budget for the overall operation of the school.

 

8.      Provide ongoing oversight and evaluation of all school operations to ensure that they are in full compliance with the:

                     - intent of the school mission statement,

                     - approved educational program and curriculum,

                     - guidance and direction from the Pastor(s) and Board, and

                     - policies established by the Congregation Council.