School-Based Decision Making Newsletter

October 2022

Introducing Mia Morales, KDE’s SBDM Program Consultant

District 180 is excited to introduce the Kentucky Department of Education’s school-based decision making (SBDM) program consultant, Mia Morales.

Morales (they/them) has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s in education, a juris doctorate and is currently writing their dissertation toward the completion of a doctorate in education sciences with a focus on educational evaluation and policy.

Prior to joining KDE, Morales served as a high school math teacher, a teaching assistant delivering instruction of UK 101 and as the assistant director of the Center for Equality and Social Justice at the University of Kentucky (UK), where they focused on building relationships between UK and local school districts.

SBDM coordinators and trainers are encouraged to reach out via email and introduce themselves to Morales. Please continue directing SBDM-related emails and phone calls to Ruth Swanson; however, coordinators and trainers are encouraged to  copy Morales on correspondence during the onboarding process.

Council Verification Data

Pursuant to KRS 160.345(6), the principal, through the superintendent, is required to forward the names and training verification of all SBDM council members to KDE by Nov. 1.  

This information is entered into the SBDM verification database that is housed in the KDE web applications. If you need access to it, please contact your district’s web applications administrator point of contact.

In addition, Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools must enter the names of their Advisory Leadership Team members. 

SBDM Implications for Schools Identified for Comprehensive and Targeted Support

Federal accountability will resume this fall with the identification of schools for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI).

While SBDM councils will continue to operate in schools that are identified for TSI, school council authority in schools identified for CSI will be suspended and transferred to the superintendent following the release of audit findings. The SBDM Implications for CSI and TSI document provides some additional information for consideration for identified schools and their councils.

Comprehensive Improvement Planning for Schools

Principal Selection Guidebook for SBDM Council Members and Superintendents Now Posted

The contents of the Principal Selection Guidebook represent the best practices for the principal selection processes at schools implementing school-based decision making (SBDM).

KRS 160.345, as amended during the 2022 legislative session, allows for separate and distinct principal selection processes contingent upon whether the school operates in a consolidated local government.

In districts that do not operate in a consolidated local government, the superintendent selects the candidate to fill a principal vacancy and principal selection training is no longer statutorily required for SBDM council members. Before the superintendent extends an offer to a candidate, he or she must consult with the SBDM council.

The exception to this is for SBDM councils that are in a county with a consolidated local government. Those councils will continue to receive principal selection training and will select a candidate by majority vote. The selection is subject to approval by the superintendent. If the superintendent does not approve of the principal candidate, he or she can select the principal.

This guidebook fulfills the requirements for those council members operating in a consolidated local government (Jefferson County); however, it is best practice that all school councils participate in the training to ensure they are adequately prepared to support the district’s superintendent and to align to the school council’s consultation policy. Topics in this training include recruitment and interviewing techniques (which are required to be covered in accordance with KRS 160.345) and suggestions for consideration when developing principal criteria and interview questions.

Selecting a principal is an important decision that will directly impact the school’s staff and students. The right principal increases morale, builds community trust and motivates staff and students, resulting in high levels of achievement and excellence in learning. Because of this, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) suggests a highly collaborative decision-making process rather than an isolated approach in selecting the school’s instructional leader.

The Principal Selection Guidebook can be found on the SBDM Technical Documents webpage. The guidebook also includes several resources in the appendices to assist schools and districts with the principal selection process, including sample interview questions, performance tasks and a nondisclosure agreement.

Please note that the training materials were developed by KDE as a guide during the process of selecting a principal. Principal selection training cannot substitute for the annually required professional learning for all SBDM members as cited in KRS 160.345(6).

RESOURCES

School-Based Decision Making webpage

Comprehensive Improvement Planning webpage

CONTACTS

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