Section 2-16-2 - Roles and Relationship of Pastor and Principal

​​ Pastor​

The pastor is ex officio the chief administrative officer of the parish school. He implements the policies of the archdiocese in the parish school. On matters not covered by the Administrative Handbook, the pastor determines policies consistent with archdiocesan policy and appropriate to the school's needs. Relying on the expertise of the Department of Catholic Schools, the pastor is ultimately responsible for the faith formation and operations of the school. However, he delegates the immediate direction and supervision of the school program to the principal.

Faith Formation​

The pastor's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:​

• Establishing and maintaining the spiritual tone of the school with the cooperation of the principal and faculty

• Providing for the liturgical and sacramental life of the school​

• Supporting and sustaining the Catholic school community as a community of faith 

Operational Responsibilities

The pastor's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• ​Assisting the Department of Catholic Schools and school administration in matters affecting the general school community

• Financial sustainability of the school

• Hiring the principal, in consultation with the Department ​of Catholic Schools, using the selection and evaluation process​

• All major and ongoing maintenance of the school plant

• Consultation on all serious disciplinary matters by his presence at conferences with parents/guardians about serious disciplinary problems

• ​​​Implementation of the personnel policies and the directives of both the Department of Catholic Schools and the archdiocese

• Consultation regarding personnel changes, employment, or termination of all school employees

• Prior approval of members and officers of the consultative school board​

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Excerpt from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Administrative Handbook. Updated: ​6-30-21 Please see Chapter 3-2-1 - Pastor​

Principal​

​​​The Department of Catholic Schools has a standard process for recruiting, selecting, developing, and retaining effective school principals. Elementary school principals are selected and evaluated by the pastor, in collaboration with the Department of Catholic Schools and in accord with its process.

With limited exceptions, employment of principals is for one year only with the possibility of rehire. Any exceptions must be approved by the superintendent of Catholic schools. Pastors shall inform principals if employment will be offered for the following year by March 1 of each year. The deadline for principals to accept the invitation for employment is March 15 of each year.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles seeks leaders who:

• Promote development in the faith by implementing, coordinating, and overseeing the religious education program of the school

• Ensure the growth of every student by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and holistic instructional program that is based on Gospel values

• Establish high expectations for staff professional development

• Ensure the success of the school through appropriate financial and personnel management, fund-raising and development, marketing and enrollment, plant management, and collaboration among all stakeholders.​

 Expectations for Candidates and Principals

Principals and candidates for principal ​must demonstrate the capacity and openness to growth in order to effectively lead a Catholic elementary school in the following areas:
Faith
Principals will:

• Implement and update catechetical materials and religious instruction resources used in the school

• Promote ongoing formation of staff through systematic planning of spiritual growth opportunities​ throughout the year

• Lead meaningful and varied forms of daily prayer and at special times throughout the year for the school community

• Model Catholic values and promote them throughout the school community

• Emphasize Christian service learning that is carefully planned, age appropriate, and woven through the curriculum

• Promote the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner consistent with Catholic social teaching

• Ensure that the Catholic culture permeates all aspects of school life

• Develop and maintain a collaborative culture with the pastor and parish

Excellence
Principals will:

• Develop and maintain a collaborative staff culture to promote academic excellence for all

• Direct a clearly articulated, rigorous curriculum aligned with relevant standards, 21st-century skills, and Gospel values, implemented through effective, data-informed instruction that incorporates research-based methodologies

• Ensure the implementation of schoolwide assessment methods and practices to communicate student progress and direct the continuous review of curriculum and improvement of instructional practices

• Provide and direct programs and services aligned with the mission to enrich the academic program and support the holistic development of student and family life

• Lead the development and integration of technology to support the school

Stewardship
Principals will:

• Understand and manage school finances, including budget development, ongoing oversight and projections, and tuition and fund-raising management

• Hi​re​, train, and supervise faculty and staff in accordance with archdiocesan guidelines, including the Principal's Transition Inventory​

• Optimize and maintain student enrollment in order to ensure school sustainability

• Promote a safe, secure, and welcoming learning environment

• Communicate effectively with stakeholders

Excerpt from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Administrative Handbook. Please See Chapter 3-2-2 - Principal