School handbooks contain the policies and procedures for which school community members are responsible. Developing and writing them, however, is a formidable task for any Catholic school administrator in this era of legal and moral accountability to entities ranging from state educational authorities to diocesan officials to pastors in parish schools. Yet, they are instruments that aid all members of the school community in the realization of the school's mission and ministry. This booklet provides an introduction to the laws affecting the administration of Catholic schools and offers specific guidance concerning the contents and wording of faculty, parent/student, and board handbooks. Six chapters include: (1) "Catholic Education and Civil Law"; (2) "Negligence"; (3)"Principles of Handbook Preparation"; (4) "Faculty Handbooks"; (5) "Parent/Student Handbooks"; and (6) "Board Handbooks." Although administrators may be discouraged when confronted with the writing of handbooks in addition to the already demanding tasks of school administration, well-written, legally sound handbooks can do much to ensure the smooth operation of Catholic schools. The booklet concludes with a glossary and bibliography. (Contains 22 references.) (RT)