KY legislative bill to remove power of SBDM council

HC is home to an active Site Based Decision Making Council that works to benefit the school as a whole. In Dec of 2016, Senate Bill 54 was introduced to legislature. This bill would have local superintendents to make personnel decisions, determine instructional materials, determine student support services, and fill each principal vacancy. These were all previously responsibilities of SBDM.

“In the 70’s and 80’s that was the reason they made [SBDM],” HC social studies teacher and council member Matthew Helton said. “Superintendents had total control. We have a good superintendent here, but in 102 counties, there’s a question mark.”

In the past, school districts depended upon superintendents to make nearly all decisions for each school. The hiring of friends and family rather than valid candidates caused the state to step in. In 1990, the legislature passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act, which included installing Site Based Decision Making Councils in every school in KY. The board is made up of teachers, parents, and sometimes students  that make decisions for their individual school.

“Fayette County [has] over 55 schools, which is way too much for one person,” HC Spanish teacher and SBDM member Paul Brown said, “Especially considering we have many magnet programs and many different provisions for different students… It’s not just knowing  the academic side of social studies, English, math and science.”

Although the majority of HC’s SBDM council is against the passing of this bill, Fayette County as a whole is not. The county and the School Board has decided to lobby for the passing of the bill.

“The job of the school board is to… represent the district.” HC Social Studies and council member Jody Cabble said. “I don’t have any evidence what/so/ever that The school board sought any sort of feedback from anybody but (the School Board members).”

Discussion has arisen outside of HC SBDM members, leaving some teachers concerned that the removal may result in a loss of teacher power.

“(SBDM) gives teachers an opportunity to influence what goes on (in HC).” HC social studies teacher Steven Riley said.

Senate Bill 54 would, in the eyes of many HC council members as well as teachers, have an overall negative effect on the school. The bill is now going through the education board in the KY legislature.