School-Based Decision Making Council

Parent council members must be the parent, step-parent, foster parent, or legal guardian of a child who will attend the school during that council term. 

To vote, you must be the parent, step-parent, or foster parent of a child who will attend the school during that council term. Legal guardians are also eligible to vote if the child lives in their home.

Councils are the groups that lead each school’s planning and other work to reach the goal of proficiency.  Councils stay focused on student achievement so that schools can reach their targets for all groups of students. 

In most cases, the parents elect two parent members, the teachers elect three teachers, and the principal serves as chair.  If more than 8% of a school’s students are minority members, the school may also elect an additional parent and teacher.  Some schools also have “alternative models” that let them have a council of a different size, an elected chair, or some other variation on the standard model.

A council’s biggest job is developing a school’s plan for school improvement, monitoring that plan, and making adjustments if it gets off track.  The council is also responsible for key policies, including curriculum, instructional practices, discipline, school schedule, and other topics.  The council develops an annual budget and is consulted on the hiring of staff, and when the school needs a new principal, the council, along with the superintendent, chooses that person.  Kentucky really has given councils the power to change their schools for the better.

• If you are elected to the council, you will receive the six hours of training that all new council members receive.
• Anytime, feel free to visit www.kasc.net.
• Also, contact other parents who have served on school councils in your district or area.