In North Rhine-Westphalia, every school has a Schulkonferenz, a school conference. The law calls it the school’s highest body for participation. Within the law, it decides on the school’s program, on which textbooks are introduced, on the school rules, and on whether lessons are spread over six days of the week. In lower secondary schools, teachers, parents and students hold seats in equal numbers. The principal chairs the meeting but has no vote, except to break a tie.