The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will be hosting a virtual experienced member training on the Council’s Role with Continuous Improvement on June 16-17 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. ET. Members will have to participate on both days to obtain their certificate. 

During the training, council members will learn about the comprehensive school improvement plan (CSIP) and their role in developing the school’s plan. KDE recommends that if experienced council members have taken this course previously, they participate in a different training course to expand their knowledge regarding their roles and responsibilities as a council member.   

Additional information will follow as we get closer to the date.  

Elections for the 2026-2027 school year will begin soon! The majority of information to assist council member constituent groups with their election processes can be found within the SBDM Handbook. 

Electronic voting is allowable. While KDE cannot endorse specific electronic voting platforms, there are a variety of platforms available (i.e. BallotBoxonline.com, Yes Elections) for soliciting nominations and voting.

Ideally, when hosting electronic voting, voters would be assigned unique codes that would be entered into the school’s voting platform to verify and track voting. If electronic voting is used, KDE recommends an equitable nomination and voting option for families that lack access to the internet or do not have the technical capacity to submit electronic forms.  

Please ensure all documentation is stored, with any identifying information redacted so that if a request is made for the results under the Kentucky’s Open Records Act, the anonymity of the voters and votes cast will be ensured.   

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 KDE for approval. These updates can be emailed to Mia Morales. 

A sample staffing allocation worksheet can be found on the SBDM Technical Documents webpage on the KDE website under “SBDM Staffing Allocations.” Please allow time for KDE to review the allocations prior to May 1.  

Staffing allocations for certified staffing positions are determined based on projected full-time equivalent enrollment. Section 4 of 702 KAR 3:246 states that, "a board staffing policy or guidelines shall be established to determine the number of allocated positions for certified staff for each school. To determine the allocation to school councils for certified staff, the district shall provide sufficient funds: (a) To meet class size caps and pupil contact hours established in KRS 157.360 based on the projected full-time equivalent enrollment for the upcoming school year. …”   

Section 6 (Other Minimum Allocations) and Section 7 (Distribution of the Balance) of the regulation is articulated differently and specifically references average daily attendance (ADA) when determining allocation amounts under those sections. When determining Section 6 and 7 allocations for the 2026-2027 school year, districts should use the 2025-2026 ADA.

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has compiled a list of topics and reminders for planning monthly SBDM agendas. Below are suggested topics for consideration at your March SBDM meetings.  

• Council should monitor the comprehensive school improvement plan (CSIP) and adjust course as needed 
• Review Section 6 allocations and determine next year’s budget 
• Consult with the school media librarian on the maintenance of the school library media center, including the purchase of instructional materials, information technology, and equipment.