Site-based Decision Making (SBDM) For the Hardworking School Administrators

Because decision making in schools is frequently based on group participation, here are some suggestions for on site-based decision making.

Your staff needs to be convinced that everyone has a vested interest in contributing to good decisions. Site-based decision making (SBDM) cannot succeed if it becomes a spectator sport in which nonparticipants sit silent when the active players interact. 

Principals lose nothing by embracing SBDM because it has the potential to enhance, not limit, their effectiveness. Relieving the threats as principals are held accountable for building level success may feel threatened by site-based decision making for fear of losing authority. 

Problem-solving teams sometimes focus on issues that are perceived to be trivial so tackle the important issues and problems affecting the school. While teams should not be directed from the top, the teams should be trained to use prioritization techniques to achieve maximum impact by aligning their activities with the strategic goals of the school district.

Site-based decision making works most effectively when the parameters of team authority are addressed and the members develop firm relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

Do not evaluate or discuss alternatives as this will come later. Avoid criticism of your own or others’ ideas.

Encourage any and all ideas. Do not consider any idea out of bounds. An unusual idea may lead to a true breakthrough.

Encourage and welcome quantities of ideas. The greater the number of ideas generated, the greater the number of useful ideas will remain after evaluation.
 
Group members should try to combine, embellish, and improve upon an idea. Consequently, most of the ideas produced will belong to the group and not to one team member. 

Watch the size of the group. The size of the groups should be limited to a manageable size of approximately ten. Once groups exceed this number they may become unmanageable. 

The commitment of team members is critically important to success, commitment alone is no substitute for effective problem-solving and consensus-building techniques. Consensus is difficult to understand, difficult to achieve and essential for success. 

Site-based decision making cannot succeed without the participation of the superintendent. The superintendent and building principals must be fully informed and enthusiastic participants and champions of the process. 

The definition of staff should not be limited to faculty. You may use students, parents, clerical, etc. should be viewed as potential SBDM team members.

Define and articulate at the onset a mechanism for scheduling team members, a succession plan and a way of communication with the entire building and district staff in the process.

SBDM is an important process in encouraging team members to become part of the direction of the school.

Excerpts of this article were provided by Bain and Dimperio of AASA, Robert Taylor of Scott and Foresman, Lunenburg, Ornstein, Potter, Thompson Learning. 

Written by Les Potter, Ed.D.

Les Potter is a retired educator with 35 years in US K-12 education (28 years in administration), 10 years in higher education and 8+ years in international education. Currently Les is working as a consultant and is living in Cairo, Egypt. He may be reached at: [email protected]