Willco Civic Brew

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].