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School-Based Decision Making Newsletter - August 2022

Kentucky Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/02/2022 09:00 AM EDT

School-Based Decision Making Newsletter

August 2022

Updated KRS 160.345 Now Available

On April 13, 2022, the Kentucky legislature passed Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which included changes that affect SBDM councils.

As a result of SB 1, KRS 160.345 was amended to transfer curriculum determination and principal selection from the SBDM council to the superintendent. The changes from SB 1 took effect July 14.

The Kentucky Department of Education’s SBDM program staff are in the process of updating several KDE technical and training resources to align to the newly amended statute. As those resources are updated, KDE will communicate those changes through its monthly newsletters.

Updated Training Modules Now Available Online

SBDM 101 – a training module designed for new council members to assist them in understanding the purpose of school-based decision making and the council’s work related to budgeting, improvement planning and consultation – has been updated to align to align with Senate Bill 1 (2022), The statute’s changes took effect on July 14.

The Roles and Responsibilities module also has undergone annual revision. This module helps participants understand how their role as either a parent, teacher or principal contributes to the overall achievement of the students in the school. This session also assists council members in understanding how to carry out each role and responsibility in the most effective way. The module now includes reference to the United We Learn: Hearing Kentucky’s Voices on the Future of Education report.

The updated modules and training materials can be found on the School-Based Decision Making Training webpage.

Starting Points: Bylaws and Policies Review, Monthly Agenda Topics

With the new school year beginning and new councils in place, it is crucial that council members begin the annual review of the council’s bylaws and the school’s policies.

Bylaws and policies should be analyzed to determine whether they are still current, valid and aligned to the processes of the school council and/or school itself. Bylaws and policies can be amended at any time as long as any amendments are recorded in the meeting minutes and align to all other parameters outlined in the council’s bylaws.

When reviewing policies, consider the following questions:

Are the school council policies legal?
Are the school council policies clear?
Are the school council policies practical?
Are the school council policies wise?
Are the school council policies focused on improving student achievement?
Do the school council policies support a positive school culture?

KDE has developed a checklist (in Appendix E, starting on page 162) to assist school councils in reviewing and revising their policies to determine whether statutory requirements are met. This checklist also shows which policies, decision areas and bylaws are required.

As a reminder, councils must amend their consultation and curriculum policies to align to SB 1 changes. Additional information regarding the consultation and curriculum policies can be found in the Senate Bill 1 Guidance.

Also, to assist in planning the monthly meeting agendas, there is a Monthly Agenda Item Topics suggestion guidance document. The topics and reminders listed below are suggestions for consideration when planning agendas for monthly SBDM meetings. Please be mindful that some topics are associated with specific due dates and should be planned for accordingly.

As always, please remind council members that the goal of their work is to increase student achievement and this should be at the forefront of every discussion, policy and decision.

Required Annual Documents

Pursuant to KRS 158.186, SBDM council members should receive copies of the two statutes linked below:

The attorney general's office requires that the below documents be distributed to council members within 60 days of the beginning of the council's term.

“The Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Acts” explains the provisions of the open meetings act and the open records act.
“Managing Government Records” provides guidance on how to manage public records and how to keep them organized and accessible.
“Proof of Receipt” (on the last page of the “The Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Acts” document) must be signed by all council members to verify that they have received copies of “The Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings Acts” and “Managing Government Records.” This signed form is kept on file at the school office.

Superintendents verify distribution of the resources by completing the Certificate of Distribution form (also on the last page of the “The Kentucky Open Records and Open Meetings” document).

These documents also can be found on KDE’s SBDM Technical Documents webpage. Please ensure SBDM council members receive these documents, as well as sign the Proof of Receipt signature page. Pursuant to KRS 160.395, the distribution may be by an electronic means.

Update: Free Access to KET’s Online SBDM 101 No Longer Available

In partnership with KDE, KET offered the online self-paced and facilitated SBDM 101 course free to the first 400 participants. Free registrations were on a first come, first served basis. The 400 spots have all been assigned.

Please note that the course is still available for completion with a fee of $95 per person.

New SBDM Online Training for Experienced Members

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is happy to announce that there is a new online course that is now available titled, “The Council’s Role with Continuous Improvement.” This is a free, self-paced course that experienced members can participate in to receive their three required training hours.

For more information on the course and how to access it, refer to the Council’s Role with Continuous Improvement guidance document on the SBDM Training webpage.

Comprehensive Improvement Planning for Schools

School improvement efforts are a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders. Through the improvement planning process, leaders focus on priority needs, funding and closing achievement gaps among identified subgroups of students. When implemented with fidelity, the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) cultivates an environment that promotes student growth and achievement.

While the timeline for comprehensive school improvement planning outlined in 703 KAR 5:225 remains unchanged for the 2022-2023 planning season, several school diagnostics have been reshuffled within the phases.

Please note that for schools operating a Title I Schoolwide Program, this comprehensive school improvement plan meets the requirements of Section 1114 of the Every Student Succeeds Act as well as state requirements under 703 KAR 5:225. No separate Schoolwide Program Plan is required.

Additional information regarding the 2022-2023 planning phases and the updated goal building template can be found on the Comprehensive Improvement Planning webpage.

More information regarding the planning indicators for 2022-2023 will be shared at the 2022 Continuous Improvement Summit and during regional trainings beginning this fall. Additional information regarding the regional trainings is forthcoming from the KDE.

Continuous Improvement Summit Registration Now Open

The Kentucky Department of Education and Cognia™ invite you to the annual Continuous Improvement Summit, scheduled for Sept. 26-27 at the Central Bank Center (formerly Lexington Convention Center).

This summit will provide you with an opportunity to invest in your own growth as a leader and a teacher. Learn from experts and come away with strategies that can make a difference in your own work and in the experiences of your students.

Keynote speaker Bradley J. Geise will discuss "Data Analysis in Continuous Improvement." Attendees will enrich their learning, explore a multitude of topics supporting continuous improvement and gain clarity and focus on the meaningful work they do every day. They will make new connections and build upon existing relationships with peers across Kentucky, hear up-to-date information from KDE leaders and learn how Cognia can help address unique challenges in your journey of continuous improvement.

To register for this event, please visit the registration website. #KYCIS2022

RESOURCES

School-Based Decision Making webpage

Comprehensive Improvement Planning webpage

CONTACTS

Ruth Swanson
District 180 Manager
(502) 564-2116, ext. 4023

Kentucky Department of Education
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