Senate approves bill shifting school-based decision-making councils to advisory role; debate centers on parental input
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Summary
Senate Bill 152, as amended, passed 27–11. The bill changes school governance by converting site-based decision-making councils into advisory councils and vests final authority in principals and superintendents; supporters cited leadership clarity, opponents said it would mute parents and teachers.
The Kentucky Senate passed Senate Bill 152 (as amended) on Feb. 19, sending to the next steps of the legislative process a measure that converts school-based decision-making councils (SBDMs) into advisory councils and transfers final rule-making authority to principals and superintendents.
Sponsor Senator from Shelby said the change preserves input from teachers and parents but clarifies leadership and accountability by designating principals and superintendents as the ultimate decisionmakers. "If we expect results, we must empower leaders to lead," the sponsor said in explanation on the floor.
Opponents criticized the bill as a regression that would "mute parents and teachers," citing nearly four decades of SBDM experience in Kentucky. One member referenced the 1989 Rose decision and the original intent behind site-based councils to increase parental involvement; that senator warned the bill would remove parents' authority over budgets, hiring committees and local rule making.
Floor exchanges included questions about whether the bill prevents parent participation in advisory councils; the sponsor repeatedly answered that nothing in the bill prevents parents or teachers from serving or providing input, but it removes their rule-making authority. Senators urged caution about making wide structural changes without statewide hearings or formal surveys; the sponsor said no formal surveys were conducted but that caucus and constituent feedback indicated support for advisory councils.
A committee substitute was adopted earlier in the session as Senate Committee Substitute 1 to SB152. On the final roll call the clerk recorded 27 yeas and 11 nays, and SB152 as amended passed.
The transcript records debate over governance philosophy, differences in local implementation across districts, and questions about evidence supporting a wholesale change. The bill's implementation will be carried out locally by school districts and superintendents once statutory language is enacted.
