A Catholic School Advisory Council (SAC) is a body whose members are selected and/or elected to participate in policy direction for program needs of the school in designated areas. Our Lady of the Lake School is part of the educational mission of Our Lady of the Lake Parish for which the pastor is the canonical administrator. He delegates, according to archdiocesan policy, administrative responsibilities to the school principal, who is accountable to him.

In the Archdiocese, all local School Advisory Councils are advisory in nature. An Advisory Council operates in the policy-making process by formulating and adopting but never enacting policy. Advisory implies that the pastor/principal will listen to the advice of the Council in certain designated matters prior to a decision being made.

The umbrella role of Catholic School Advisory Council is to provide policy direction to the school. This very general responsibility resolves into six distinct functions:

• Participate in and encourage strategic planning
• Develop and defend policy
• Offer financial advice
• Serve as a good public relations source
• Evaluate itself periodically
• Participate in the selection process of the principal, who is the advisory council’s executive officer

Each month, the OLL School Advisory Council conducts meetings that are open to the school community.

During its meetings, SAC concentrates on its basic functions to:

• Promotes implementation of Archdiocesan objectives and policies at Our Lady of the Lake School.
• Perform specific actions required by OLL SAC bylaws.
• Formulate and recommend policies affecting Our Lady of the Lake School that will guide the principal and staff
• Review the principal’s implementation of SAC policies
• Evaluate the effect of SAC’s policies on the total educational program

Meetings are usually held during the 4th Tuesday of the month in the Parish Hall. (Please check in advance, especially for holiday months). Individuals who are interested in expressing an opinion or proposal to SAC during the monthly meeting should contact the SAC Chair one week in advance.

Click here to view the 2009-10 schedule.

Click here to view SAC meeting minutes.

The Our Lady of the Lake School Advisory Council has nine appointed/elected members serving three-year terms, plus the pastor and principal as ex-officio members. Individuals who have special skills or expertise (e.g. finance, planning, etc.) are encouraged to present themselves as candidates for Council membership. Current membership consists of:

• Two members elected from the school community. The SAC Nomination Committee receives and approves applications from the community before presenting candidates for election.
• Two members nominated by SAC and approved by the pastor from the parish-at- large.
• Five members nominated by SAC for specific positions, including Finance, Planning, Public Relations, Development, Facilities, and Education. Appointments are made by the pastor and principal.

Click here to view current members and contact information.

Click here for a SAC application Form (PDF 15K)