The School-Based Decision Making Council model was introduced alongside the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in the 1990s. It is designed to promote shared leadership among those working closely with students: administrators, teachers, and parents. A council's primary responsibility is to promote student achievement, which should be echoed in every decision and policy. 

As the governing body for a school, the SBDM council determines curriculum, staffing, discipline, scheduling, instructional practices, extra-curricular activities, and other matters pertinent to the operation. The council must set school policy to provide an environment to enhance student achievement and help the school reach its accountability goals. To meet this responsibility, councils should:  

• Decide targets for closing achievement gaps;
• Determine the professional learning plan for the school;
• Meet monthly and comply with the Open Meetings and Open Records Act;
• Consult on vacancies (principal, classified, and certified positions); and
• Write and review policies.
  
  

Member training

• Sign up for training
  
  

SBDM Portal

• Portal (staff use only)
  
  

Resources

• Monthly topics & reminders
• Election procedures
• Background checks - Register in contractors database; district covers cost for SBDM parents.
• Template for membership list (Excel)
• Sample of meeting notice and agenda
• Form for a specially called meeting
• Minutes guidelines, with sample
• Email notification agreement
• Certificate of distribution
• Copies of law
• Display of national motto
• Rights of students

• KDE resources
• Comprehensive Improvement Planning
• Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence 
• Kentucky PTA

Web tip: The URL shortcut to this page is fcps.net/sbdm