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Diocesan School Board
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Function
The name of this body is The Diocesan School Board of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.Because Catholic education is the legitimate exercise of the Church’s right to teach, the Board is subject to the authority of the Church represented within the diocese by the diocesan bishop, his delegate, or his equivalent in church law.The Board supports the educational mission of Catholic schools and assists the diocesan bishop in maintaining Catholic identity, formulating policies, ensuring financial stability, and providing strategic direction for all Catholic schools and special education programs.Composition, Leadership & Committees
Membership on the Board reflects the diversity of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Practicing Catholics who are active in their parish and who share interest in Catholic education are eligible for appointment. Members have experience in education, business, finance, or law.
The Board is composed of 12 (twelve) voting members, all appointed by the diocesan bishop. Ex-officio, non-voting members are the Vicar General, the Superintendent of Schools, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and the Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Voting members include two clergy members, one consecrated person, one lay member from each deanery, three at-large members, and the president of the Diocesan Principals’ Association.A Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson are appointed annually and serve as officers of the Board.The Chairperson presides over all meetings of the Board and serves as the chairperson of the Executive Committee. The Chairperson:- Appoints all committee chairpersons and committee members, unless otherwise specified;
- Creates the meeting agenda in collaboration with the Superintendent of Schools;
- Reports the actions of the Board to the diocesan bishop or his delegate; and
- Performs all duties that are incident to the functions of the Chairperson.
The Vice Chairperson performs the duties and exercises the functions of the Chairperson in his/her absence.The Executive Committee coordinates the work of the full Board and is composed of the Superintendent of Schools, the Diocesan School Board Chairperson, and the Vice Chairperson.The Mission and Governance Committee ensures that the Board and Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge fulfill their mission. The committee recommends members to the board and makes annual recommendations of officers and is responsible for education and formation of the Board in mission.The Finance and Development Committee assists schools in preparing, updating, and monitoring long-range financial and development plans.The Policy Committee assists in the formulation of policies to guide school administrators in institutional matters including finance, facilities, development, and community affairs.The Strategic Planning Committee assists diocesan administration in the formulation of a long-range strategic plan, monitors this plan, and reviews objectives.Ad-hoc committees are created by the Board as necessary.Membership
Ex-Officio
Dr. Cindy Ryals (Superintendent of Schools)
Dina Dow (Director of Evangelization)
Very Reverend Jamin David (Vicar General)
Members Through Association
Cherie Gioe (President of the Principals Association)
Jill Grabert (Assistant Superintendent of Schools)
Clergy & Religious
Reverend C. Todd Lloyd (2027)
Deacon Michael Parker (2029)
Sr. Theresa Trang Do, FMOL (2029)
Deanery Representatives & Expertise
Kristen Beard (2029, Chair, Northeast Deanery, Education)
Codi Brown (2027, Northwest Deanery, Business & Marketing)
Donna Newchurch-Landry (2027, South Deanery, Legal Consultant)
Porter Taylor (2028, Baton Rouge Deanery, Business & Operations)
Jammie Favorite (2027, East Central Deanery)
At Large Members & Expertise
Thad Rispone (2029, Business)
Judge Tess Stromberg (2028, Law)
Joanne Harvey (2027, Human Resources)