Alternative Model Applications

Pursuant to 701 KAR 5:100, school councils can add additional voting members, such as students and classified staff, to their membership through an alternative SBDM application. Schools interested in adding voting student members are encouraged to consult their local board attorney prior to doing so.

Beginning Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, a school may submit an application for an alternative model for its school-based decision making council. An application is not required for schools that wish to add non-voting members or changes that maintain the parent, teacher and administrator voting membership ratio as established in KRS 160.345.

The application and KDE guidance can be found at the bottom of the SBDM Technical Documents webpage.

During Phase Four of the comprehensive improvement planning process, schools are required to complete and submit the Professional Development Plan for Schools (due May 1) in the Cognia Continuous Improvement Platform. Phase Four is also the time to progress monitor the comprehensive school improvement plan.

You can find information on the different components of the CSIP within the Continuous Improvement Planning webinar.

Staffing Allocation Reminders 

Tentative staffing allocations should be sent to school councils by March 1, with a final allocation date of May 1. 

If a district plans to revise its staffing formula for the 2026-2027 school year, it will need to send its updated staffing allocation worksheet to the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) for approval. These updates can be emailed to Mia Morales. 

The updated staffing allocation worksheet can be found on the SBDM Technical Documents webpage on the KDE website under “SBDM Staffing Allocations.” This worksheet can accommodate all school grade configurations and account for the 150 pupil hour requirement.

Please allow time for KDE to review the allocations prior to May 1. 

The webinars occur on the second Tuesday of the month, with the next webinar scheduled for Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. ET. A link to join will be emailed out closer to the webinar date.

SBDM coordinators are encouraged to reserve the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. ET. SBDM coordinators are encouraged to attend at least eight webinars a year.