SBDM (School-Based Decision Making) – Minority Parent Representative training video: Ryle High School: April Draine, Boone County

When April Draine moved to Northern Kentucky in 2022, finding ways to actively engage and learn about her middle and high schoolers’ future education was a priority. That desire was soon filled after Ryle High School announced the vacancy with SBDM Minority Parent position and she was elected.

This was the opportunity she envisioned being a part of within the school system, as she learned policies, processes, and ways administrators worked to help meet the needs of their students and faculty at Ryle.

However, in speaking with other high school parents, some either, had never heard of the committee, confused it with PTA, or simply felt engagement beyond their child’s elementary and middle school years wasn’t as important on the high school level.

Conducting a video interview with Ryle High School Principal Matt Shafer for her Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership (CIPL) project, allowed her to bring awareness to SBDM in Kentucky schools, show how he engaged – not just her as a new parent to Northern Kentucky area – but his intentionality to involve the community as well, in being a voice in the school. It was her hope, through casual dialogue, examples of changes the SBDM committee had made at Ryle, and her personal experience as a new member –others would, too, feel inclined to investigate being part of their school’s SBDM committee.

Family engagement is crucial across all educational levels and participating in School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) is one effective means of involvement.