School-based decision making councils would see their influence diminished under a bill passed by the Senate Education Committee Thursday.
Senate Bill 135 would alter how schools are governed, placing more authority with superintendents on issues of policy and the hiring of principles and teachers while relegating school councils to an advisory role.
"It only makes common sense that the people who have the responsibility for carrying out the mandates of the school board also have the tools and the authority to manage the school system and that's what this bill does," says sponsor Sen. John Schickel.
Currently, school councils made up of teachers, parents, and administrators help shape policy alongside superintendents and opponents, including the Kentucky Association of School Councils, worry the move would weaken parent and teacher involvement.
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