In this episode, we dive into the Williamson County School Board's special called meeting happening on Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 PM. This special session will revisit the potential removal of five books from the Williamson County School Libraries:

• Where the Crawdads Sing (high school only)
• Speak (middle and high school only)
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (high school only)
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower (high school only)
• The Field Guide to the North American Teenager (high school only)

We break down the policy and processes behind book challenges, the implications of the State's passing of the Age-Appropriate Materials Act, and the adjustments made to the WCS library materials policy prior to this vote. Former board members Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea share insights into the initial vote in 2023 and discuss how community members can make their voices heard.

Resources Mentioned:

• Williamson County Schools Textbook and Instructional Materials Policy
• Williamson County Schools Library Materials Policy
• Library Materials Decision Tree
• Williamson County Schools Lawsuit Ruling

How You Can Help:

• Attend the meeting on Monday, December 9th, at 6 PM (arrive early!).
• Email the entire school board and Superintendent Golden with your stance on the issue.
• Sign up to speak during the public comment period (opens at 12 noon, Friday).

Get in Touch:
We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or ideas for future episodes. Email us at [email protected].

WillCo Civic Brew: November WCS Board Meeting Recap
In this episode, Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea break down the highlights from recent Williamson County Schools board meetings, including the work session and the monthly voting meeting. Key topics include:

• Funding Clarity: Addressing a listener question about state voucher funding ($7K) versus Williamson County public school funding from the state ($4K).
• Public Comment Highlights: Discussions around vouchers, art teacher supplements, and an organized push for extended recess.
• 5-Year Capital Plan Approval: A look at the annual capital planning process, including some board members’ requests for more time to review.
• Policy Shifts: Commentary on revisions to the Equal Opportunity Employment policy, where the board voted against legal counsel, HR, and superintendent recommendations.
• Superintendent Goals: Unanimous approval of goals, including anti-bullying measures, pay increases for hard-to-fill positions, and finding private funding for schools.

Stay informed, share this podcast with friends, and keep asking questions to support public education in Williamson County!

Email your questions to use at: [email protected]

Resources and Links:
November 18 Williamson County School Board Meeting Livestream:
Williamson County Board of Education Meeting - November 18, 2024

Williamson County Schools Five Year Capital Plan (Item 6.a):
Public Meeting Agenda: November 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM - Williamson County School Board Meeting - BOEconnect

WCS Work Session (includes presentation on budget and initial discussion of the 5-year capital plan): WCS Board Work Session 2024-11-14

Williamson County EOE Policy (page 5):
Microsoft Word - Updated Personnel Policies_10.01.2024.docx

Revised Williamson County Schools EOE Policy (Item 6.c):
Public Meeting Agenda: November 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM - Williamson County School Board Meeting - BOEconnect

Dive into our latest episode of Willco Civic Brew as we unravel the complexities of the newly filed TN voucher bill. What does it mean for our public schools and your family? Tune in now to get informed!

Some Clarifications/Corrections:

• Gina Bulso Lawsuit: We clarify that Gina Bulso is not suing the district for financial damages, but there was a line in the complaint asking for costs/expenses related to lawsuit. Lawsuit details are public record. Suit is with the WCS Board, not the WCS District.
• August 2024 Election Correction: Updated the election totals for District 3:
  • Dennis Driggers: 1202 votes (60.9%)
  • Diane Cochran: 773 votes (39.1%)
  • Total Votes: 1975 (13.78% of registered voters)

Resources:

• Page link to send the entire WCSB an email (scroll to bottom of page): School Board Members - Williamson County Schools
• Superintendent email: [email protected]
• FOIA data: Cory Martin from One WillCo submitted a FOIA request for public information regarding the vote to rescind the Anti-Voucher resolution from March 2024. All board members received over 60 requests from the public asking them to keep the Anti-Voucher Resolution; the most emails received to rescind it, (which is what the Board did), was 2. You can see Cory’s Substack article here: WCSB Substack | Cory | Substack 
• Tennessee Voucher Bill (Filed November 6): Some things to know about the bill:
  • Creates 20 K vouchers the first year; unlimited number beginning in 2026
  • First year, half of the vouchers are “need-based” and reserved for families of four making less than 173K
  • Schools accepting vouchers would take an unspecified "national achievement test” and privatize student names upon submission of results
  • Public schools will still have to take all current tests
  • One time-bonus of 2K given to all public school teachers
  • 80% of all sports wager taxes will go to fund public school buildings, with an emphasis on economically disadvantaged counties or those counties that have experienced a national disaster
  • Bills submitted by House and Senate are the same; no areas of difference like in past years--which likely means it is poised to pass more quickly
  • The 2024 Senate provision that students could go to any public school they wanted to has been removed
  • 144 million was held back from last year to provide initial funding for this bill (resulting in budget shortages in WCS)
  • House Leader Sexton: "Families deserve freedom to use hard-earned tax dollars”
  • House Leader McNally: ”Bill will ensure that choices, not geography, determine success (?)”
  • Link to joint Senate/House Bill SB0001: SB0001.pdf
• Recent Elections and Vouchers: In Kentucky, Colorado, and Nebraska, voucher initiatives were defeated. This underscores bipartisan opposition to vouchers.
  • Dr. Josh Cowan's Presentation: Provides insights on the national voucher movement.
    • Watch Dr. Cowan’s Presentation: Josh Cowen: The Privateers 20241016 SD 480p 
    • Read: 7 Lessons About School Vouchers From The Privateers

Email us at [email protected] with questions, comments, or topics for future episodes.

In this episode of WillCo Civic Brew, we recap a recent board meeting that sparked significant debate in the community when our newly elected WCS board took unprecedented action and rescinded the resolution against vouchers from the last legislative session. We discuss some of the more interesting parts of that discussion and what this means for our local schools.

Join us as we explore the implications of these actions and the importance of being engaged, especially since only state representatives can vote on voucher legislation.

Finally, we highlight key candidates for upcoming state and congressional races, urging listeners to stay informed and involved in the electoral process. Join us for a concise and engaging discussion on civic participation!

Video from Livestream of 10/21/2024 Meeting

Williamson County Board of Education Meeting - October 21, 2024 (youtube.com)

Discussion begins at 1:44:44; Welch/Brown interaction begins at 1:50:50

Guns in Parks Resolution Discussion and Vote, 2015

Board narrowly passes resolution supporting amendment to exempt parks used by schools

Rep Scott Cepicky on Vouchers

'We're trying to throw the whole freaking system in the trash' (newschannel5.com)

Board Policies About the Role of School Board Members

Educational Philosophy: 1000.docx - Microsoft Word Online (live.com)

Role of Board: 1101.docx - Microsoft Word Online (live.com)

Duties of Board Members: 1202.docx - Microsoft Word Online (live.com)

Code of Conduct: 12021.docx (sharepoint.com)

Facts about D3 election turnout

There are 6,582 registered voters in D3. Only 13% of them voted in the school board election.

8.1% of the registered voters voted for Driggers; 5.2% voted for Cochran.

87% of voters did not vote.

GoVoteTN - Information for Voters | Tennessee Secretary of State

In this episode of WillCo Civic Brew, we dive into the October 17 school board work session, specifically the discussion focused on the proposal to rescind the anti-voucher resolution passed in March 2024. New board member Dennis Driggers (District 3), who is backed by pro-voucher organizations, argued for the change, stating that the current board is significantly different, with five of seven original board members who voted in favor of the resolution no longer serving. He emphasized that the previous resolution was premature and called for a neutral stance until the new voucher legislation is finalized.

Join us as we dive into this important discussion and its implications for local public education. For more information and to engage with the school board, check out the links below! As always, please feel free to email us with any questions or comments you have at [email protected].

Links and Resources:

How to contact the Williamson County School Board (click the button at bottom of page and include Superintendent Golden at [email protected])
School Board Members - Williamson County Schools (wcs.edu)

Sign up to speak at a WCSB meeting (middle of page)
School Board Meetings - Williamson County Schools (wcs.edu)

WCSB Resolution Opposing Vouchers Passed in March, 2024 (scroll to bottom of agenda)
Public Meeting Agenda: March 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM - Williamson County School Board Meeting - BOEconnect

October 17, 2024 WCSB Work Session (vouchers discussion starts at approximately 1:34:00)
WCS Board Work Session 2024/10/17 (youtube.com)

School Board Code of Conduct
Shared with you - OneDrive (live.com)

Role of the WCSB
Shared with you - OneDrive (live.com)

Look up an elected official's donors and campaign finance reports (WCS candidates are at the end)
Easy Campaign Finance (easyvotecampaignfinance.com)

Project 1776 Super PAC
About | 1776 Project PAC1776 Project PAC

In Episode 4 of WillCo Civic Brew, hosts Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea tackle the ongoing conversation around school vouchers and their potential impact on public education in Williamson County, Tennessee.

With upcoming elections and state legislative decisions looming, they discuss the history of vouchers in Tennessee, from early debates to the current push for universal vouchers. Drawing on personal experiences and state-level data, Nancy and Jen unpack why vouchers pose a threat to the quality of public schools and explore how they could deepen educational inequality. They also highlight ways to take action by contacting local school boards and state representatives.

Tune in for an informative and timely episode as we break down the facts and advocate for the future of our schools.

Links mentioned in the episode:
GoVoteTN - Information for Voters | Tennessee Secretary of State

School Vouchers - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org

Stockard on the Stump: Governor's private-school vouchers already struggling for votes • Tennessee Lookout

School voucher program pioneered in 2022 causes AZ budget shortfall (azcentral.com)

In a State With School Vouchers For All, Low-Income Families Aren’t Choosing to Use Them (msn.com)

(1) Video | Facebook (Senator Jack Johnson on Vouchers in Williamson County)

@‌thetnholler • Here’s where Senator Jack Johnson said he’d fight “tooth and nail” against vouchers in Wi... • Threads

Josh Cowen: School Vouchers: There Is No Upside - Network For Public Education

Welcome to Episode 3 of Wilco Civic Brew: "Countdown to Election 2024 – What's at Stake?" an important discussion about the intricacies of the upcoming elections with your hosts, Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea. This episode unravels the surprisingly low voter turnout in Williamson County and explores what's on the ballot this November. From local to federal elections, understand why each vote is crucial and how simple misunderstandings can deter voters. Our hosts will guide you through the essentials of voting, the significance of staying informed, and provide a detailed action plan to ensure you're ready to vote confidently. Tune in to transform your electoral questions into knowledge and action.

Resources Mentioned:

1. GoVoteTN: A comprehensive resource for Tennessee voters to check registration, find polling locations, and view sample ballots. Access it here.
2. League of Women Voters (Vote411): Offers personalized voting information including up-to-date candidate questionnaires and election details. Visit Vote411.org.
3. Williamson Inc. Interviews: Features video interviews with candidates, available on Williamson Inc’s website under their election central page.
4. Williamson Herald Candidate Profiles: Provides candidate profiles with responses to uniform questions, giving voters insight into each candidate’s stance on key issues. Find it here.
5. Our Voices Aligned: Focuses on candidates' positions on gun safety and other pivotal issues. Their social media pages offer detailed comparisons and endorsements. Follow them on Instagram here.
6. Ballotpedia: A national resource that offers detailed backgrounds on candidates and comprehensive election information. Click here to access.

Welcome back to Wilco Civic Brew! In this episode, hosts Nancy Garrett and Jennifer Aprea dive into the latest school board meeting, breaking down the actions taken and discussing how the community can get involved. They provide an in-depth explanation of the school board's monthly and ad hoc meetings, spotlighting the importance of the work sessions and their role in shaping board decisions while following their established format of educate, understand, and act.

The episode further explores significant developments, such as the election of new board chair and vice chair, and discusses public comments from the meeting, particularly highlighting the advocacy by One Wilco for students of color. The hosts also tackle the voting on several key committees and encourage community involvement in upcoming school board actions. Listen in to understand the dynamics of the Williamson County School board and learn how you can play a part in supporting equitable and effective education policies.

Links:

• For further details on the board meeting agenda, visit Public Meeting Agenda: September 16, 2024 at 6:30 PM - Williamson County School Board Meeting - BOEconnect.
• To view the board discussion and superintendent's report during the work session, visit Williamson County Board of Education Meeting - September 16, 2024 (youtube.com).
• To view the full list of WCS board policies, visit: Williamson County Board of Education Policy Manual - TSBA

Action Points:

• Engage with us directly with your questions or topics for future episodes at [email protected].
• To sign up to speak during public comment which takes place during the first thirty meetings of the school board Monday night voting meeting, email [email protected].
• To contact board members, you can go to this page and either click on your representative or scroll to the bottom red button that says “send email to all board members” if you’d like to ask a question or show interest in serving on a committee as a parent: School Board Members - Williamson County Schools (wcs.edu)

Welcome to Willco Civic Brew, a podcast blending community voices to educate, understand, and act on local issues, especially those related to public education in Williamson County. Hosted by former school board members Nancy Garrett and Jennifer Aprea, this podcast serves as a platform for dispelling misinformation and advocating for public education. Each episode dives into school board meeting recaps, interviews with key figures, and explores the intricate challenges and victories in our schools. Join us in making informed decisions and engaging in our community. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your questions at [email protected].