HCHS Site-Based Decision-Making Council Members

Amber Thomas, Principal HCHS 

New SBDM council members:

Amber Thomas

Sam Blinn

Ben Dempsey

Parent - Mike Berger

Parent - Michelle Joyce

A Parent’s Opportunity to Make a Difference

School-based decision-making (SBDM) councils govern Henderson County School System schools. SBDM councils consist of the principal, three teachers, and two parents. The teaching staff elects the teacher members and the parents of students enrolled in the school elect the parent members.

SBDM councils have authority over curriculum, assignment of staff time, assignment of students, determination of school schedule and space, instructional practices, discipline, extracurricular programs and policies, parent involvement, and consultation of candidates for a staff vacancy other than a principal vacancy at each school.

Since the SBDM councils at the individual schools have the power to make these very important decisions, parents must understand the process and get engaged in SBDM meetings and committee work. 

First, communicate with parent council members. They represent you! Make sure they know your views about education and how the school can best serve all children.

Second, get involved as an SBDM committee member. All schools have committees that work on specific issues such as curriculum, discipline, and facilities. These committees make reports and recommendations to the SBDM council for policy consideration. This is a way to work on issues that interest you without being an SBDM council member. 

Third, cast your vote for your parent representative. Elections are held in the spring for the upcoming year. Find out when your school will be holding parent elections and select a representative that supports your views on education.

Fourth, consider running for the SBDM council. It is the best way to make a difference at your child’s school.

It is important to become engaged in the decision-making process. Parents have the opportunity to make their child’s school the best it can be. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. 

More about SBDM -

The Henderson County Board of Education invites you to become involved in your child’s education. School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) member elections for all schools in the Henderson County School system will be in April and May.  

SBDM councils consist of the principal, three teachers, and two parents. The teaching staff elects the teacher members and the parents of students enrolled in the school elect the parent members. SBDM councils have authority over curriculum, assignment of staff time, assignment of students, determination of school schedule and space, instructional practices, discipline, extracurricular programs and policies, parent involvement, and consultation of candidates for a staff vacancy other than a principal vacancy at each individual school.

Who is eligible to be on the SBDM council?

·         Any parent, step-parent, foster parent, or guardian of students registered or who will be attending Henderson County Schools during the 2016-2017 school year.

·         A school system employee may be a parent member of a council where his/her child attends, but not in the school where he/she is employed.

·         Parents are eligible to be members of the SBDM council at each of their children’s schools.

·         Employees or their relatives* of the central office may not be council members. * Relatives include mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, husband, wife, aunt, uncle, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law.

·         If the school is 8% or more minority, there must be a seat available for minority representation.

How is a person nominated to be on the SBDM council?

·         A parent or guardian can submit their own name in writing to the school principal or they may submit the name(s) of another parent in writing to the school principal.

·         Names must be submitted in writing to the school principal no later than five (5) days before the election.

How is a person elected to the SBDM council?

·         Parents or guardians of students in grades K-5 will vote at the elementary school where the student attends or will attend.

·         Parents or guardians of students in grades 6-8 will vote at the middle school where the student attends or will attend.

·         Parents or guardians of students in grades 9-12 will vote at the high school where the student attends or will attend.

Who conducts SBDM council elections?

·         Parent and teacher organizations of the school. If there is no parent and teacher organization, the election is conducted by the largest group of parents formed for the purpose of electing parent representatives to the school council.

Where do you vote for the SBDM council member?

·         SBDM elections are held at each school. 

·         Parents or guardians may vote at the school that their children attend or will attend during the current school year.