Members of the Diocesan School Board are gaining first-hand knowledge of each school in the Diocese of Charlotte by visiting them during operating hours. The initiative began with the last meeting of the 2014-’15 school year, and the practice will continue going forward.
Their most recent site visits took board members to Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in High Point last week.
“Years ago, when I was principal at St. Patrick Catholic School and the principal representative on the Diocesan Board, we met at different schools across the diocese,” explained Dr. Janice Ritter, diocesan schools superintendent. “Even though our evening meetings at the schools provided the opportunity for board members to see a school building, it didn’t allow them to see the school in action. This is important, not to mention enjoyable.”
Jim Loftin, president of the Diocesan School Board and member of St. Thérèse Church in Mooresville, added, “I like the hands-on experience. It’s one thing to sit in an office and discuss the school or students. It’s much more personal to meet the faculty and students face to face. Because of these meetings, I have formed relationships with many of the school principals and staffs. They love to share their passion for their schools, and they all have great stories to tell.”
Ritter also noted that the board is looking for ways to enhance its work as part of the accreditation process, and visits during school hours support those efforts. They are learning of school efforts to increase enrollment, a challenge for Catholic schools across the country. Three members of the board are serving on a separate committee dedicated to marketing and enrollment.
“We’re also hearing about the strength of our schools,” Ritter said. “Board members often hear that our school communities are a close-knit, family-like community where members support each other, especially in time of need. The understanding board members gain from the visits will serve them well as they talk about and promote our schools within their parishes and communities. They also obtain a better understanding of how their work – specifically, policy development – will impact the various school communities.”
Board member Cindy Bratton of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro agreed.
“It helps us make sure what we’re evaluating can be fairly applied to all schools, whether it’s a metropolitan school or a small, rural school. Visiting the schools and seeing how diverse they are – the possible wealth of some versus the lack of financial assistance at others – gives us a better perspective on how we can help all the students and schools in our diocese,” Bratton said.
For example, the board decided not to mandate salary scale increases that could burden schools without many financial resources. Instead, pastors can decide if it is in the budget to increase salaries or give bonuses. Ritter said this has worked well and proved to be the right decision.
Board member Karen Dyer of St. Paul the Apostle Church said, “It’s very affirming to see what little resources are producing outstanding results. It’s supportive of all our efforts for a Catholic education.”
Michael Binda, a board member and parishioner of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, said he enjoys meeting the faculty and local families associated with the schools. “Seeing the dedication that the faculty, families and children lead in a life of Christ is exciting and makes the job all the more meaningful and exciting to be a part of.”
One might think schools would view a visit from the Diocesan School Board with some trepidation, but Loftin says this isn’t so. “Dr. Ritter handles a huge workload and still finds time to be so personal with much of each school’s staff,” he said. “You see it when she visits the school. She’s no stranger; they embrace her visit!”
— Annie Ferguson, Correspondent
Pictured: Diocesan School Board member Michael Binda of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte talks with Our Lady of Grace third-grader Santiago Mendoza about what he’s learning. (Annie Ferguson | Catholic News Herald)