| While the success of Catholic school education is well documented, significant challenges currently threaten the Church's educational apostolate. Faced with increasing deficits, dwindling enrollments, low salaries, and aged facilities, Catholic schools across the country are studying governance models that will ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of Catholic education. The last two decades have seen dioceses across the country close scores of Catholic schools, as social, fiscal, cultural, and demographic changes undermined the sustainability of traditional Catholic school governance and funding. The Archdiocese of Hartford is included in these threats and this study provides understanding of the perceptions and needs of parish school boards in order for transformational growth and continued viability to occur.;This study uses a mixed methods research and survey methodology, and is guided by the question: How do school board members perceive their role in the governance of parish Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford? As a result to scholarship, Church documents, outcomes from The Second Vatican Council, and data analysis, this study offers four characteristics that emerged from the research: demographics, structure, leadership and mission value.;This study found that there were some characteristics indicating a lack of congruence between Leadership Manual for Catholic Schools Boards (2010) and the perception of members on parish school boards. The research clearly indicates the need for further training and education for parish school board members, principals, and clergy to ensure their effectiveness and appropriate roles of authority.;In order for parish Catholic schools to remain viable they need school boards that exhibit vision and provide courageous leadership that is shared with pastors and principals. The results in this study foster the development of such parish school board’s leadership and vision; and suggest further scholarship for the parish school board movement. |
