This paper describes outcomes of a partnership between the Rochester City School District (New York) and the Kodak 21st Century Learning Challenge consulting program for improving school-based planning team (S-BPT) operations. The purpose of the school-based planning team is to involve the entire school community in improving school effectiveness. Requirements for high-performing S-BPTs include: (1) establish structures and processes that encourage participation; (2) clearly define expectations; (3) include all key stakeholder groups equally; (4) use a consensus decision-making process; (5) limit team members' terms to a minimum of 2 years; (6) limit team size to 12 members or less; (7) consider participation as a professional-development experience; (8) limit districtwide initiatives to one or two a year; and (9) allow the school time to demonstrate outcomes. Recommendations are also offered for school-improvement planning and for maintaining ongoing support for shared decision making. The appendix contains a checklist for identifying decentralized decision-making responsibilities. Contains four references. (LMI)