St. Mary
Star of the Sea
Catholic School
As part of Big Shoulders Fund Plus, we have access to a network of resources that provide added value to us and our students in the form of operational, academic, professional development, enrollment, fundraising, and financial support. Big Shoulders Fund also creates a path for our students that not only ensures they receive a high-quality education in a safe and structured environment, but also continues to guide them as they grow up to be productive, positive forces in their communities and in the world.
Big Shoulders Fund
Academic Programs
Principals work directly with Big Shoulders to monitor the success rates of academic programs, to ensure that professional development supports increasing success rates, and to identify and take action in areas needing improvement. Principals continue to lead their staffs and are responsible to maintain appropriate accreditations.
Student Recruitment
Principals work directly with Big Shoulders to establish marketing and development/fundraising plans. Big Shoulders assists local staff in implementing the marketing and development plans through social media, annual appeals, ect.
Financial Operations
Principals and Business Managers work with Big Shoulders to approve budgets and large expenditures, create forecasts, etc. Schools continue to manage their finances – e.g., collections, bookkeeping, etc. The Principal is responsible for the school’s financial results.
Personnel
Principals work directly with the Archdiocese on personnel matters; given that Principals and all other staff members are Archdiocesan employees and its personnel policies will be followed. All personnel-related policy questions are directed to Robert Bassett. Big Shoulders will be involved in Principal evaluations, and consulted as appropriate in other personnel matters.
Strategic Planning
Principals work directly with Big Shoulders to create and implement plans to improve in key areas such as academics, student recruiting, fundraising, etc.
Faculty
Principals work directly with the Archdiocese, using established Archdiocesan protocols; the Archdiocesan facilities department continues to assist with school projects. All projects must be presented to and approved by both the Archdiocese and Big Shoulders, and life-safety projects are funded by the parties on a 50/50 basis.