Advanced SBDM Online Module
As shared during the March endorsement webinar, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is offering its first online module, which will be accessible through Google Classroom. Online modules are a convenient, self-paced option for those council members unable to attend a live training.
New members are not encouraged to enroll in the online course, as it is designed for more experienced council members. It is important that KDE-endorsed trainers spend time with new members and provide immediate interaction and feedback related to what is expected of them as newly elected council members.
The online course will flow in order of the traditional module found on the SBDM Training website. Some of the activities have been modified to make them compatible to the online format.
The online module includes recorded videos, PowerPoint slides, online quizzes and discussion questions. It is free to any interested member. Ashlie Cox will be monitoring the site and reviewing feedback from participants.
Kentucky Educational Television (KET) Online Bylaws and Policies Module
This three-hour course parallels the in-person training developed by Kentucky Department of Education, but allows learners to complete the coursework at their own pace.
Council members learn to differentiate between bylaws and policies, the characteristics of each and how they enhance student achievement. The course contains lessons, assessments, reflections and questions; a certificate is issued once all course criteria is met.
The online course for experienced council members is available for purchase at a cost of $40. Please use code K20 to receive a discount of $10. For more information about this course and KET’s other online course, review KET Online Options.
KDE to offer summer SBDM Trainings for Experienced Members
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will be hosting annual SBDM trainings regionally throughout the state for any experienced council member. KDE intends to showcase its new training module, "Equitable Decision-Making." Dates and locations of SBDM trainings are listed below and each training session begins at 9 a.m. local time and ends at noon.
To attend a training session, interested participants will need to complete this Google Form. A maximum of 40 participants will be allowed at each training location and the trainings are at no cost to participants.
KDE will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will keep you updated about in-person trainings.
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LOCATION AND ADDRESS
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DATE AND SBDM TRAINING TOPIC
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Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES)
5516 E. Alexandria Pike
Cold Spring
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Tuesday, July 7
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Murray Middle School
801 Main St.
Murray
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Friday, July 10
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Pikeville High School
120 Championship Drive
Pikeville
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Monday, July 13
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Stewart Auditorium
3332 Newburg Road
Louisville
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Thursday, July 30
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Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC)
118 James Court #60
Lexington
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Friday, July 31
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Legislative Update
The following bill was signed by the governor on March 24 and will become law:
SB79 will amend the pre-employment/service checks classified and certified school employees, as well as SBDM parent members, complete through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
COVID-19 and SBDM FAQ
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has released responses to how SBDM councils should proceed with meetings, elections and scheduling in light of the COVID-19 shutdown:
1. What changes, if any, should be made to meetings of school-based decision making (SBDM) councils during this state of emergency and to comply with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines?
Since 2018, KRS 61.826 has permitted public agencies to hold any meeting through video teleconference, which is defined in KRS 61.805 to mean “one (1) meeting, occurring in two (2) or more locations, where individuals can see and hear each other by means of video and audio equipment.”
To conduct a meeting by video teleconference, the public notice of the meeting shall clearly state that the meeting will be conducted through video teleconference and identify a primary location where the public may attend in accordance with KRS 61.840.
Although the statute requires that the public notice of the meeting clearly state that the meeting will be conducted through video teleconference and identify a primary location where the public may attend in accordance with KRS 61.840, Attorney General Daniel Cameron has issued an opinion, OAG 20-05, finding that public agencies are not required to identify a primary physical location for video teleconference meetings given the urgent need for social distancing during the public health crisis. However, the opinion does require, while the state of emergency is in effect, for public agencies to identify a website, television station or other means that the public can access to view the meeting.
In an effort to practice social distancing and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, public agencies should consider live streaming all meetings and strongly encourage the public to participate by joining the live stream and not attending meetings in person.
2. What changes, if any, should be made to SBDM elections during this state of emergency and to comply with CDC guidelines?
KRS 160.345(2)(b) requires teacher representatives on the SBDM to be elected “by a majority of the teachers” and requires parent representatives on SBDM be elected “by the parents of students preregistered to attend the school … in an election conducted by the parent and teacher organization of the school or, if none exists, the largest organization of parents formed for this purpose.” The statute does not, however, prescribe the election protocols to be used.
Because there is local discretion on when and how SBDM elections will occur, a school’s parent and teacher organization, for example, could choose to postpone previously scheduled elections or, alternatively, transition in-person voting to a ballot cast via mail or electronic means. Similarly, teacher representatives could be elected, for example, by ballot sent to each teacher’s work email address.
KDE agrees that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic SBDM elections may be held by electronic means. However, KDE maintains that it is the intent of KRS 160.345 that voting be done in person, but that electronic voting is justified given the current state of emergency. However, if possible, SBDM elections should be postponed until voting may be done in person.
NTI and Grading
The Office of Teaching and Learning has prepared guidance on grading, which is available on the Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE) website.
KDE recognizes that the assignment of student grades is a local decision and will be unique district-to-district based on variances in student populations, faculty, staff and available resources.
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