The principal of a pre-K to grade 5 school in Arizona talks of ways to create responsive programs for special needs children. The school offers a special education preschool program and a totally integrated cross-categorical program for kindergarten through grade 5 which utilizes collaborative delivery systems and a consultative model of special education. The program encourages educational leaders to facilitate change by assisting building-based decision-making teams to design and implement programs. Evidence from business and educational research is offered to document the effectiveness of this approach. Critical elements in site-based decision making are discussed, including the planning process, a staff trained in group decision making, and shared beliefs about social systems. Potential benefits and risks of the site-based decision making process are noted. An addendum explains the four steps in community-based decision making and planning and four steps in developing action plans. (Contains 21 references.) (DB)