Unpacking School Leadership: Who’s Steering the Ship at Delone Catholic?

By Valerie Lippe P'25, P'28, P'29

It’s no secret that the leadership and governance structure of a school can feel a little like a puzzle. You know that Delone Catholic’s administration and the Board of Directors both work hard to sustain our school, but what exactly are their distinct roles?

You interact regularly with the dedicated administration—our principals, teachers, and staff—but for most families, the Board of Directors remains behind the scenes. Let's shine a light on who they are, where their authority comes from, and how they partner with the administration to ensure Delone Catholic thrives.

The Foundation: Governance and Authority

Delone Catholic's current structure dates back to 2014, when all high schools in the Diocese of Harrisburg were separately incorporated as non-profit corporations. This move established a clear, uniform set of operating principles outlined in our by-laws.

The Ultimate Authority: The Bishop

Because all diocesan high schools belong to the Church, the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg holds the ultimate governing power and authority.

The school does not have "shareholders" but instead "members" who exercise this authority.

These members are (1) the serving Bishop and (2) the Pastoral Members (the priests of the Adams Deanery who support the school).

While the Bishop delegates authority for efficient operation, he remains the final decision-maker. As Dan Breen, Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Education for the Diocese of Harrisburg, affirms, “Bishop Senior is very much involved with the high schools, and will often meet with the boards when he comes to visit a school.”

Governance vs. Management: The Board’s Core Role

If the Bishop holds the ultimate authority, where does the Board of Directors fit in? Simply put, the board handles governance, and the administration handles management.

The Pastoral Members appoint a Board of Directors to govern the affairs of the school corporation, subject to the Bishop's approval.

Who is on the Board?

The Delone Catholic Board is composed of:

• Ex-Officio Directors: The Pastoral Members (parish pastors) serve automatically and must make up at least a quarter of the board.
• Appointed Directors: Between seven and sixteen lay people are appointed. They are either Catholics in good standing or non-Catholics of good repute who are committed to the school and supportive of the Church’s teachings.

Lay board members serve for a term of three years and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, ensuring a regular infusion of new perspectives.

The Board's Responsibilities: What Does "Governance" Look Like?

The board's duties are broad and focus on the long-term stability, mission, and well-being of the school. Their key powers include:

• Leadership: Nominating candidates for the board and the Principal position.
• Financial Stability: Proposing the annual budget and developing long-range financial support.
• Advancement: Engaging in efforts to increase gifts, grants, and overall financial development.
• Oversight: Exercising responsibility for the school program and promoting the overall well-being of the corporation.

The Power of Committees

To manage this wide range of responsibilities, the board performs much of its work through standing committees tailored to the school's needs. At Delone Catholic, these include:

• Academics
• Advancement
• Catholic Identity
• Enrollment and Outreach
• Facilities
• Finance
• Governance
• Student Life

A bonus for our community: While these committees are chaired by board members, local community members with relevant expertise are often invited to join the meetings. This is a great way for families to indirectly support the board's work!

Finding the Right Fit: The Ideal Board Member

Filling vacancies created by term limits is a careful and deliberate process. What does the ideal board member look like?

Breen describes them as someone who is:

• Fully supportive of the Catholic Church’s teachings.
• Dedicated to the greater good of the school.
• Possessing professional skills—such as law, finance, or education—that can strategically support the school.

Keeping the Lines of Communication Clear

The commitment is demanding, with the full board and its committees meeting every other month. Given the complexity, ongoing training is essential. Furthermore, Breen acts as the key liaison between the board and the Diocese to resolve any confusion regarding the by-laws.

“Our boards have a real passion for the schools they represent,” says Breen. “I see the tremendous care they give to the school. A lot of credit should be given to them. They do a lot of hard work.”

The commitment of our Board of Directors is vital to ensuring Delone Catholic continues to provide an excellent Catholic education. Next time you hear about the Board, you’ll know they are the ones providing the essential strategic oversight that keeps the school strong for years to come.

Do you have any specific questions about how a Board committee works, or would you like to know more about the Diocese's involvement?

In future editions of The E-Squire, we'll be publishing profiles of our current board members, to help the school community recognize these dedicated individuals.