St. Mary’s Academy follows the guidelines and decisions of the Archdiocese of New Orleans in the event of emergency or disaster. St. Mary’s Academy will not conduct school on any day on which the Archdiocesan School Office announces that schools will be closed.

SEVERE WEATHER – SCHOOL CLOSING

In case of severe weather or other emergencies, the school will follow the same dismissal procedures as that of the Orleans Parish Archdiocesan Schools. Information should be sought via radio station WWL-870 AM on the dial or WWL-TV Channel 4, WDSU -TV Channel 6, WVUE-TV Channel 8 and ABC-TV Channel 26. Check the school’s web site for continual updates at www.smaneworleans.com.

GENERAL POLICY STATEMENT

St. Mary’s Academy is responsible for establishing the cultural environment, training by administration, faculty, staff, board members, volunteers, vendors, contractors, consultants, assessing fraud risks, implementing internal controls and monitoring activities designed to prevent and detect misappropriation of organization’s assets and intentional material misrepresentation of organization’s financial or other data or other actions constituting fraud.  It is management’s responsibility to communicate this policy to all board members, employees and volunteers and their responsibility to comply with this policy.

St. Mary’s Academy has a zero tolerance for actions constituting fraud.

DEFINITION OF FRAUD

Actions defined as fraud include but are not limited to:

• Theft of cash, securities, merchandise, equipment, supplies or other assets.
• Unauthorized use of organization employees, property, credit cards, cell phones or other resources.
• Submission of personal or fictitious employee expenses for reimbursement or fictitious or inflated vendor invoices or payroll records for payment.
• Receiving kickbacks or other unauthorized personal benefits from vendors or others.
• Forgery or fraudulent alteration of any check, bank draft, statement, billing, record, form, report, return or other financial document.
• Intentional material misclassification or misrepresentation of revenues, expenses, costs or other data in financial statements, reports, regulatory returns, applications or other communications.
• Intentional failure to disclose material related party transactions, noncompliance with lender requirements or donor/grantor restrictions or other required disclosure matters.
• Intentional improper use or disclosure of confidential donor, client/customer, employee or organization proprietary information.
• Any violation of copyright or licensing laws.
• Any other illegal or unethical activity.

WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE ANTI-FRAUD POLICY

The anti-fraud policy applies to fraud or suspected fraud by administration, faculty, staff, board members, volunteers, vendors, contractors, consultants and others doing business with St. Mary’s Academy.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES AND SAFEGUARDS

It is the responsibility of every administration, faculty, staff, board member, volunteer, vendor, contractor, consultant to report, preferably in writing, discovered or suspected unethical or fraudulent activity immediately to the Principal of St. Mary’s Academy.

No reporting party who in good faith reports such a matter will suffer harassment, retaliation or other adverse consequences.  Any board member, employee or volunteer who harrasses or retaliates against the party who reported such a matter in good faith is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment, or removal from board.  Additionally, no board member, employee or volunteer will be adversely affected because they refuse to carry out a directive which constitutes fraud or is a violation of state or federal law.

Any allegation that proves to have been made maliciously or knowingly to be false will be viewed as a serious disciplinary offense against the accuser.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Discovered or suspected matters can be reported anonymously or on a confidential basis.  Anonymous allegations will be investigated, but consideration will be given to seriousness of the issue, its credibility and the likelihood of confirming the allegation from other reliable sources.  In the case of allegations made on a confidential basis, every effort will be made to keep the identity of the reporting party secret, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate and fair investigation.

Allegations will not be discussed with anyone other than those who have a legitimate need to know.  It is important to protect the rights of the person accused, to avoid damaging their reputation should they be found innocent and to protect the organization from potential liability.

INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES

The Principal of St. Mary”s Academy or the delegate will investigate all allegations on a timely basis.  The investigation may include but is not limited to examining, copying and/or removing all or a portion of the contents of computers, computer files, disks, tapes, other electronic storage devices, files, desks, cabinets and other facilities of the organization without prior knowledge or consent of any individual who may use or have custody of such items or facilities when it is within the scope of the investigation.

The reporting party must not attempt to personally conduct investigations, interviews or interrogations related to the alleged fraudulent activity.

RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

The results of the investigation will be reported to the Administration.  Actions taken against the perpetrator of alleged fraud will be determined by the Administration with potential  consultation with legal counsel.

CURRENT CONTACT INFORMATION

Principal:
Sr. Jennie Jones, SSF
6905 Chef Menteur Hwy., New Orleans, LA 70126
504.245.0200