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William Lipscomb Elementary
Site-Based Decision Making
The Site-Based Decision Making Committee gives families, staff, and community members a structured way to provide input on campus goals, priorities, and improvement efforts. At Lipscomb, SBDM helps keep our school focused on student achievement, strong communication, and continuous improvement.
Advisory Council
SBDM at Lipscomb
The Site-Based Decision Making Committee serves as an advisory council to the principal. The committee includes the campus principal, teachers, school staff, parents, and business or community representatives.
SBDM is designed to serve as a campus-level forum where school-related issues, activities, and initiatives can be discussed. Recommendations and suggestions made by the committee should align with the Campus Improvement Plan and support student achievement.
Campus Improvement
What SBDM Helps With
SBDM helps the school community review needs, discuss priorities, and provide input on plans that affect students and the campus experience.
The committee may also support short-term sub-committees when specific school initiatives, activities, or needs require additional planning.
Five Official Areas of SBDM
These five areas serve as the primary functions of SBDM under BQB Local.
Goal Setting
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Budgeting
Staffing Patterns
School Organization
How SBDM Works
SBDM is most effective when stakeholders move from shared understanding to action and reflection.
1
Understand
Review campus needs, student data, family feedback, and school priorities.
2
Plan
Discuss goals, strategies, resources, and next steps connected to the Campus Improvement Plan.
3
Implement
Support school initiatives, committee recommendations, and short-term sub-committee work.
4
Monitor
Review progress, identify barriers, and provide feedback as school initiatives develop.
5
Evaluate
Reflect on outcomes and use what is learned to strengthen future campus planning.
SBDM Sub-Committees
As school-related issues occur or as activities and initiatives develop, the SBDM committee may authorize a sub-committee to help resolve an issue or support implementation. Sub-committees vary from school to school depending on the needs of the campus and community.
SBDM sub-committees may support planning and implementation of recommendations, district and school initiatives, activities, and special events. The SBDM chair may provide updates to the full committee or invite a sub-committee chair to present information during an SBDM meeting.
Interested in Serving?
Families and community members interested in serving on the SBDM committee or supporting a sub-committee are encouraged to complete the interest form.
Contact: lipscombsbdm@gmail.com
Interest FormMember Resources
Current members can access meeting materials, resources, and documents for the 2025–2026 school year.
2025–2026 ResourcesFrequently Asked Questions
Are Site-Based Decision Making, School-Centered Education, and School Community Council different groups?
No. School-Centered Education and School Community Council are now referred to as Site-Based Decision Making. The name change helps align with the terminology used by the State of Texas.
What is the purpose of Site-Based Decision Making?
The purpose of SBDM is to provide stakeholders an opportunity to understand, plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate educational programs that best meet the academic needs of students at the campus.
Who are the stakeholders?
Stakeholders may include students, parents, community members, business representatives, teachers, school staff, and campus leadership.
What are the duties and responsibilities of SBDM?
SBDM advises the principal in areas such as needs assessment, planning and goal setting, budgeting, curriculum, staffing patterns, training and development for parents and staff, school organization and management, and school safety.
Where are the operating rules of SBDM found?
Operating rules may be found in district planning resources, Dallas ISD Board Policy, the Dallas ISD Site-Based Decision Making Handbook, and local campus committee bylaws.
How are shared decisions made?
Stakeholders work together to reach consensus through collaboration and a no-blame, no-fault approach.
Is Site-Based Decision Making child-focused?
Yes. SBDM conversations and recommendations should focus on each child’s growth, development, achievement, and overall needs.
What is the Campus Improvement Plan?
The Campus Improvement Plan, or CIP, is a campus document developed collaboratively with input from the SBDM committee and school staff. It includes campus goals, identified needs, strategies, resources, timelines, responsible staff, and measures of progress.
What role does SBDM have in developing the CIP?
The SBDM committee supports collaborative planning with school staff by reviewing needs, giving input on priorities, and helping ensure that the Campus Improvement Plan reflects the needs of students and the school community.
What are the expected outcomes of an effective SBDM committee?
An effective SBDM committee can strengthen parent, business, and community involvement; improve campus planning; support student performance; increase staff productivity and satisfaction; and improve communication and information flow.