School Based Decision Making (SBDM) was implemented in two secondary, two junior high, and three elementary schools in the Memphis City School System in Tennessee during the 1989-90 school year. The implementation process of that first year and the roles of the persons involved are discussed as well as the use of the Tennessee School Climate Inventory (TSCI) to monitor the effect of SBDM on the following dimensions of school climate: (1) order; (2) leadership; (3) environment; (4) involvement; (5) instruction; (6) expectations; and (7) collaboration. Twenty questions related to personnel relationships, student dimensions, school community relationships, the instructional program, and the school environment were added to the inventory, and staff were asked to rate 10 items related to the implementation of SBDM. Results are presented in two tables. (10 references) (CLA)