These four broad similarities could then be reworked into a mission statement for the district. The same process must occur in developing a district vision statement by incorporating aspects of all three schools.
There are certain areas or aspects of the school models which will have a definite impact on district level policies. Areas such as transportation, maintenance and technology are obvious areas that the district should play a more active role in. The central office member of the Rolling Hills school mentioned this in their reflection on SBDM. They stated a concern about the duplication of decision making in every school in the district. If it takes one school three hours to make a decision about supplies there is no reason for each other school to duplicate this same process.
Other areas that the district council would do well to address would be financial concerns and overseeing school councils. The district has been given the following recommendations as to their duties:
- Communicate to all stakeholders what SBDM is and why it is desirable.
- Establish procedures for ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
- Provide information, staff development and technical assistance to personnel.
- Establish a program for assessment of outcomes at district and school levels.
- Delegate real authority to schools.
- Encourage schools to choose a manageable number of activities during implementation.
- Designate someone in central office to oversee the implementation and operation of SBDM efforts.
It seems that the most important message given to school districts is to let the schools operate their own form of SBDM while providing support to their efforts. ��It is this advice that seems to ring true in truly developing working models of SBDM. The district must serve as a supportive shoulder for the schools to lean on while they establish the form of SBDM that is best for them.
