What is Site Based Improvement (SBI)? What is Site Based Improvement (SBI)? Site Based Improvement is a process in which members of the school community (the principal, teachers, staff, families, students and community members) work together to: improve student achievement define school goals shape school policy and procedures solve problems SBI provides principals, teachers, students and parents greater control over the education process by giving them some responsibility for decisions about the budget, personnel and school goals. The ultimate goal of SBI is to improve education by transferring some decision-making authority from district offices to individual schools. What is a Site Council? A site council is a team of teachers, staff, parents, principals and others from a school community who work together to help their school be successful. Site councils may: help shape and support the school's mission; help develop the School Continuous Improvement Plan; drive school change and develop conditions for success; have input into the selection of school staff and principal; help plan and prioritize the school budget. Through site councils -- which can involve school staff, parents, students and other community members in key decisions -- SBI can create more effective learning environments for children. In some cases, site councils can make decisions. In other cases, site councils can make recommendations. In all cases, Board of Education policies on curriculum, standards and assessment must be followed. History of Site Based Improvement in Saint Paul The concept of Site Based Improvement is not new to Saint Paul. This timeline highlights some of the key events leading to where the district is today.