| Board of Trustees |
The Board of Trustees consists of individuals who have special knowledge of finance, legal matters, real estate, development, education, marketing, technology and/or any profession deemed necessary for the fulfillment of the mission and strategic plan of St. Gabriel’s Catholic School. Other qualifications of a Trustee include individuals who represent the Diocese of Austin, the business community, and/or the St. Gabriel’s community.
The Officers of the Corporation consist of the Executive Committee and include the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Facilities Officer. There are four “standing committees” of the Board: The Committee on Trustees, Finance, Advancement, and Head Support and Evaluation.
Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees include:
• Guarding, preserving and protecting the Mission of the School and the St. Gabriel’s Educational Philosophy.
• Hiring, evaluating, and, if necessary, terminating the Head of School.
• Managing the School’s financial resources in a way that ensures the long-term viability of the institution.
• Setting the long-term strategic policy direction for the School and managing the Head’s goals towards achieving those ends.
Nominations are greatly appreciated and should be directed to the current Chair of the Committee on Trustees, Nick Nascone at nick@nascone.com.
Trustees for 2010-2011
| Tom Cerovski | Chairman of the Board | tcerovski@austin.rr.com |
| Nick Nascone | Vice Chairman | nick@nascone.com |
| Melissa Anderson | Treasurer | melissaanderson@austin.rr.com |
| Cheryl Soileau | Secretary | sms@tgfmanagement.com |
Peter Frumkin
Ashley Fuller
Michael Hieber
Tim Keyes
Beth Lasita
Jane Matheson*
Fr. Jayme Mathias*
Joanne Senn
Cheryl B. Soileau
Leslie Suffoletta
* Non SGCS Parent
Ex-Officio Members
Mr. Steve Balak, Head of St. Gabriel's Catholic School
Dr. Ned Vanders, Superintendent of Catholic Schools of the Austin Diocese
| Question and Answer |
Q: What is the role of the SGCS Board of Trustees?
A: The role of the Board is to establish strategic policies, principles, and practices to accomplish the mission and educational philosophy of the School. The Board has the duty to manage the affairs of the school. The Board appoints and employs the Head of School to conduct the daily administration of the School.
Q: What is the relationship between the Board and the Head of School? The Faculty?
A: The Head of School is the general manager and fiscal agent responsible for the daily administration of the School’s programs, finances, and personnel within the framework of the policies, principles, and practices established by the Board to accomplish the mission and educational philosophy of the school. All faculty and staff report directly or indirectly to the Head of School. The Head of School reports directly to the Board of Trustees.
Q: How is the Board structured?
A: The Board per the bylaws must maintain no fewer than 9 and no more than 17 members. Currently, there are 17 members. There are five officers of the corporation which include the Chairperson, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and Facilities Chair who serve as the “Executive Committee." There are four standing committees of the Board. They are: Finance, Advancement, Committee on Trustees, and Head Support and Evaluation.
Q: What is the process for Board member selection?
A: The Committee on Trustees is a standing committee of the Board. This committee evaluates the composition of the existing Board, determines Board needs, identifies potential new Board members, and recommends candidates for approval by the Board. The Committee appreciates and welcomes recommendations of potential candidates from any individual in the community.
Q: What criteria are used for Board member selection?
A: The Committee on Trustees looks for specific skills or experience in areas that include the following: leadership, academics, development, clergy, legal, athletics, facilities, finance, public relations & marketing, and technology. Typically a candidate will have expertise in at least one of these areas. Secondary attributes are also considered and include: racial diversity, non-parent, parent, lower school parent, middle school parent, religious diversity, and gender diversity. The Committee on Trustees is always looking ahead to the future requirements of the four standing committees as well as to upcoming programs, construction projects, etc. Potential Board members must also be able to commit a significant amount of time to Board activities that include preparing for and attending regularly scheduled Board meetings, special meetings, and committee meetings as well as helping out periodically with fundraising and special projects.
Q: Does the Board work with Board members at other schools for ideas and best practices?
A: St. Gabriel’s Catholic School has been accredited by The Texas Catholic Conference (TCCED) as well as the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. Both of these organizations serve as great resources for the Board. ISAS as well as NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), publications, conferences, and website provide the Board with best practices used by independent schools. The Diocese additionally hosts an annual conference for the members of the school boards affiliated with the Diocese.
Q: Why do we have some Board members who do not have children attending SGCS?
A: Selecting members to the Board of Trustees who are not parents is a well accepted practice of school boards. Though all Board members are expected to make decisions and vote in the best interests of the entire student population, non-parents balance the Board and help foster unbiased decision making that assures independent and clear direction.
Q: Are Board members paid or do they receive compensation such as discounts on tuition? Favorable class placement? Special consideration?
A: Board members are not paid or compensated in any manner. No special favoritism, class placement, or consideration is given to Board members or their children. Board members abide by the same policies and procedures as any parents of the school or community.
Q: Should a parent go directly to a Board member with an issue?
A: In order for issues to be handled properly, there is a chain of command that should be respectfully honored. The particular Faculty or Staff member involved in the issue should be contacted first to discuss the matter. If the matter is not resolved with this meeting, then the Division Head should be contacted. Any unresolved issues should then be directed to the Head of School. Of course, if ever a matter is felt to be of a serious nature, the Head of School can be contacted immediately. Only in matters that have been presented to the Head and not resolved will the Board Chair get involved.
Q: Why does the Board raise tuition?
A: A budget plan is voted upon annually by the Board of Trustees. Prior to this resolution, the Head of School derives the anticipated budgetary needs of the school through prior year data, input from Faculty/Staff and review of cost increases/decreases. The Finance Committee along with the School’s Controller and Head of School meet multiple times to construct the best possible budget that weighs the financial needs of the school against the resulting increase in tuition. The most important factor of course is ensuring a balanced budget while offering the best possible education for the student of SGCS.
Your questions, ideas and concerns are very important to the Board of Trustees. Please send additional questions and/or comments to the Board of Trustees Chair, Tom Cerovski at tcerovski@austin.rr.com.
