[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6125302,"mediaKeyId","2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237","parentId",2677484,"title","Votes at a glance: March Williamson County School Board meeting","audioSeconds",13003,"startMs",3262000,"endMs",16265000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237&start=3262&end=16265","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237/thumbnail_3262000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125302/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-March-Williamson-County-School-Board-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125302-c46acd554477c70cb62c06447bf59a1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776384483&Signature=ZKOvhvZJiNkE-rXsSL2YH4hKRZMkeHfe-dsTod4~1e47zBVpzYXuZka34GcqgQ3hxA4llKU2ypBlsbPOmShr6xHvjyU8Ci6POg~PwSpiCuQOsxyU2~tJ-wBa7mlVCYhxxuqsCYrxzX-teeWeye7Y5dSspBcdw8DJNE~CKkHn0nMEZ8R9ZackaqSYV9cAKyeHLsgfjq9QVgZpgViynSNecJeerOTCt1ouihc-we1Z8G1gLcIMxIl7KqnLcBTBhlH8RbcuT4iqh2K--fB~KIbocqAjy-URCrVoeAQckF5cNI3r4R6I78G4E85irS5Q7sPT05EfVY1O8OttCy1EGW2ZZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Williamson County Schools","date","2025-03-19T01:00:31.7Z","article","The Williamson County School Board recorded multiple formal actions during the meeting. Key votes and tally summaries follow (votes taken in meeting order where possible):

- Agenda approval — voice vote; agenda approved.
- Consent agenda (minutes and five policies for second reading; plus field trip fee requests) — approved by voice vote.
- Donation: $7,500 (dual enrollment) — motion by Mister Bostick; second Doctor Reeves; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Donation: $6,500 (safety equipment from Atmos Energy) — motion by Mister Bostick; second Doctor Johnson; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Chromebook amendment (increase Chromebook/cart funding to cover additional elementary charging carts so devices may remain at school) — motion by Miss Edmond; second Mister Cash; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- FY 2025-26 general purpose school fund budget (as amended) — motion on the floor; vote 10 yes, 1 no.
- Central cafeteria fund 2025-26 budget — motion by Doctor Reeves; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Extended school program/SAC fund 2025-26 budget — motion by Miss Wyatt; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Capital outlay/capital request fund 2025-26 — motion by Mister Welch; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Policy 4.206 (Homebound instruction) — first reading; motion by Doctor Johnson; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Policy 4.403 (Library materials) — first reading; motion by Doctor Reeves; vote 10 yes, 1 no.
- High school courses/special course applications (annual) — approved; vote 11 yes, 0 no.
- Science textbook adoption package (committee recommendation) — board amended K-8 recommendation to STEMScopes (vote on amendment 8 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain); the board subsequently removed AP Psychology from the recommended list for later consideration (vote 7 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain); final adoption of the remainder of the package as amended passed 9 yes, 2 no.
- School fees for 2025-26 (elementary fees and high-school extra-curricular fees as presented) — motion carried 11 yes, 0 no.

These recorded votes will be published in the official minutes. Several items passed with unanimous board support; the larger budget and textbook questions drew dissent and amendments. The AP Psychology pick was deferred for further review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Williamson County Board of Education Meeting - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and vote tallies from the board meeting, including budgets, donations, textbook adoption amendments and policy first readings.","taxTitle","Williamson County, School Districts, Tennessee","taxId",17219,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125306,"Students and parents press board for more hands-on learning, mental-health supports and library protections",442,2133000,2575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237&start=2133&end=2575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237/thumbnail_2133000.jpg","/articles/6125306/Tennessee/Students-and-parents-press-board-for-more-hands-on-learning-mental-health-supports-and-library-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125306-36a80ca8a79cae881ba897bc7a9c4ded/orig.mp4?Expires=1776384483&Signature=fbKsMA0VAJLGgdqeiKAg~PAmK7fJdP0NANd3t26jxB69ZCG6z5CraaskBmCiNeYfY1NwEIYEGeon0qWA7KRJA3sVYYJCffqBeRcFV5bF1PKxUinlo~aq8S1EkZnOeCer5Nsz4urNiU7NPA-VS2vW1M0jz1RFUU6NGZofcU6ZpTmQk2QWcxS0F3Ysm~DoLkel16GHqKUYHtAUHd1ggMdb~umry9MBnsbnvQaVkJraBgLuvXsjTtx4u03PCf6lsH7IMvEn3vbt8lCGZ8Zu9OZcFh2Ij9yQl1x-Ett4I2kofVN8hLFFU3o7WctRqPqjuM8tDDA0TbMG3NryG8zhAhE9Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment portion of the Williamson County School Board meeting, nine speakers highlighted recurring themes: students asked for more mental-health resources and more hands-on, project-based learning; parents urged reduced screen time and stronger library protections; and disability advocates pressed the district to create formal incident reporting when students go missing during the school day.

Shanara Williamson, identifying herself as a longtime resident and parent, relayed testimony she heard at a student forum and told the board that students asked for more mental-health resources and group counseling in high schools. She described reports of uneven discipline tied to race and said adults must \"remain vigilant when it comes to, equitable disciplinary actions.\" \"Please don't allow these fear based slogans, things like being anti woke to give us room for unequal disciplinary actions,\" Williamson said.

Business owner and parent Theophilus Boyd summarized student concerns gathered at a community conference and said students wanted clearer channels to seek teacher accountability without adverse consequences and more exposure to vocational and nontraditional pathways after high school.

Several speakers focused on classroom practice. Kimberly Calcote said her four children attended district schools and told the board many science classes have moved to highly technology-dependent curricula; she urged a return to \"hands-on\" experiments and cited examples such as dissections, bridge-building and egg-drop projects. \"Please consider choosing a science curriculum that allows for real experiments, doesn't lock our children into more screen time use for 8 years,\" Calcote said.

Elementary-school librarian Michelle Kinley asked the board to reconsider proposed changes to library-material policy that would add a \"mature reading list.\" Kinley said librarians already scaffold choices and build trust with families, and that mandatory lists could create barriers and mistrust.

Disability advocate Christie Bailey told the board that children with special needs can become lost during the school day and said the district lacks an incident-report form to identify patterns and fix problems. Bailey recounted a repeatedly lost student at Longview Elementary and urged the board to require documentation, develop protocols and conduct regular reviews.

High school students also spoke. Connor Britt, a senior at Independence High School, argued that interactive, project-based learning helped him learn more than screen-based instruction. \"The more interactive and engaging our classes are, the more we will learn,\" he said.

Angela Frederick of the Williamson County Education Association urged board members not to delay textbook approvals and asked that teachers be included in technology discussions. Several speakers thanked the two board members who had attended the student forum.

Speakers asked the board to act on discipline equity, more counseling resources, hands-on curriculum choices, clearer library procedures and a district-level process for documenting lost students. Board members and staff acknowledged the comments and said they would follow up through the superintendent's advisory channels and staff committees.","Nine public commenters, including students, urged Williamson County\u0000Schools to add mental health resources, expand noncollege career pathways, restore hands-on science and protect library policies; advocates also sought incident-reporting for lost students.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125310,"Board replaces recommended elementary and middle school science texts with STEMScopes and defers AP Psychology",4372,9519000,13891000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237&start=9519&end=13891","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237/thumbnail_9519000.jpg","/articles/6125310/Tennessee/Board-replaces-recommended-elementary-and-middle-school-science-texts-with-STEMScopes-and-defers-AP-Psychology","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125310-04c8e628e666494cf05332668e539b34/orig.mp4?Expires=1776384483&Signature=dwBW9dpYe~fkQolensAoU8~b1AcK2W1OMafp4yueDDTHP5lO6~6pTkSrUp5dmtEhYLx~ktnmMVbaIuSKCQEKhiwgfQUSwuFruqwn7RwBPRn54WTSreHRPJhtUloPkZf2zrypuR4ZP73PHTI5X3cBohNOkykQ2JAkZyj-e~2yBdABHmGN3jTtq9Agv76xsgncqg~c4hBatHQ3DcXFyn4Vp2wvAKWKAEzNZjCdHnNBpd0IXLJXAn0yJe8aHVm1aJpzUJxsm4cCfuRZB1MbgmL8a7qznHJDbwPBRy~2Xqz9K2qkBpvQI4ZmOjCWmSz93dd7BgNPokKLB-a397bBVCOx5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County School Board on Monday revised the textbook adoption committee\u0000s recommendation and selected Accelerate Learning\u0000s STEMScopes for kindergarten through grade 8 science, then voted to remove AP Psychology from the committee\u0000s recommended list and defer a final choice.

The board amended the committee\u0000s recommendation to substitute STEMScopes for the previously recommended Savvas (K\u00002 and grades 3\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 5) and for McGraw Hill (grades 6\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 8). \"I saw a clear difference ... and that was STEM SCOPE science,\" Board member Claire Reeves said while moving the amendment, adding that she had reviewed evidence of student gains tied to STEMScopes. The amendment passed 8-2 with one abstention.

The adoption meeting included extended debate over digital integration and evidence of learning outcomes. Several board members and staff emphasized that all state-approved options include hands-on, phenomenon-based lessons and consumable print materials; district staff said publishers also offer digital supplements but that teachers should begin with standards and instructional strategy before choosing technology. \"Our tech integration philosophy is that we start with the instructional standard,\" Assistant Superintendent Brian Allen said.

Board members then addressed an AP Psychology textbook that drew community attention. A motion to replace the committee\u0000s recommended Myers text with Cengage failed 2-9. The board subsequently voted 7-3 with one abstention to remove AP Psychology from the packet and take it up again at a later meeting, allowing more time for review and public feedback. When the board took its final vote on the remainder of the adoption package (as amended to include STEMScopes for K\u00002\u0000through 8 and minus the AP Psychology recommendation), the motion passed 9-2.

Superintendent Golden and curriculum staff said the district will proceed with procurement and teacher training under the adopted schedule; staff noted that textbook availability and publisher delivery timelines can be tight and advised that delays can reduce the time available for teacher planning before the next school year. Curriculum staff also said several publishers supplied research reports, but only STEMScopes carried an Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) \"Tier 2\" designation among the options discussed.

Board members who opposed the K\u00002\u0000through 8 switch cited the volume of classroom teacher recommendations favoring other titles and urged caution, while supporters pointed to peer-reviewed studies and pilot results showing gains in some districts. The AP Psychology item will return to the board for consideration at a later meeting.

Votes taken during the textbook discussion changed the committee\u0000s recommendations for K\u00002\u0000through 8 and for the AP Psychology slot; the board asked staff to finalize purchasing plans and to provide timelines for classroom roll-out and teacher training.","After hours of debate the board voted to adopt STEMScopes for K\u00002 through 8 and to remove AP Psychology from the committee\u0000s recommended list for further consideration.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125314,"Williamson County board approves 2025–26 operating budget after Chromebook-cart amendment",1868,4248000,6116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237&start=4248&end=6116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2677484-f0d600033e46765a5ec01c17ca131237/thumbnail_4248000.jpg","/articles/6125314/Tennessee/Williamson-County-board-approves-202526-operating-budget-after-Chromebook-cart-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125314-318a015b8aa798df54f09a1e8357a3f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776384483&Signature=AZ2q83Zv-60RQrqpciiM6xOYV2zHZ~ZG3o2wIyrHHFwwgGC5m55tJCH6qLPs6~nx7denfHzgWP5pbLU5UH2AuUIx0ENKonFHUSRVf3EBbhDTJsXaoNHR9BIq9bnpL~ykgTwB4O0mWnj~oWL~P82rVqNSbABILgrCx-e~oDiZEj2QIUfntqQSkGo72crQ0dXh5eg98fVjSqT8J5RRZKMGLCp5S~89RcOPD5bncx5AZvZU~O93K1aRH4ctr4DND2IFlAxfFPoA~qLd3LlVLQraQgui-c5IWn~CKAwJ3r-Ml5XjdVZFmxzZg9-YfcD7OItI0fmPme8iIl73~iG~vJO0pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Williamson County School Board approved the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 operating budget for fiscal 2025\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 26 on a 10\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 yes, 1 no vote after board members adopted an amendment to the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 Chromebook purchase plan.

Board members voted to increase the Chromebook/carts line for elementary classrooms after a motion from board member Miss Edmond to add additional carts and charging stations so devices could remain at school instead of being sent home. \"I like to make an amendment to the Chromebook budget to increase it to 6,200,000.0 so we can add computer carts to charge devices at school so children will not have to take them home,\" Edmond told the board during the meeting. The amendment passed unanimously, 11-0. School leaders said the change would add enough carts to cover grades 3\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 through 5 in elementary classrooms and bring the total elementary carts to 866.

The Chromebook amendment was offered amid broader debate about technology use in classrooms. Board members and district staff said the district plans to limit take-home device requirements for younger students by increasing school-based charging carts; district staff also described an instructional-standards-first approach for when teachers use technology. \"Our tech integration philosophy is that we start with the instructional standard,\" Assistant Superintendent Brian Allen said, describing the district's expectation that teachers disaggregate standards and choose instructional strategies before adding technology.

Superintendent Golden and finance staff also briefed the board on the budget gap and revenue outlook. They noted a projected fund-balance gap of about $11 million (after a potential state allocation of roughly $4 million that had not yet been finalized) and described pay increases as the main unresolved item. \"With us projecting an $11,000,000 gap, the gap right now based on our proposal is exclusively related to pay increases for next year,\" staff said. The board approved the general purpose school fund budget 10-1.

Two small donations placed into the budget were approved earlier in the meeting: a $7,500 donation for dual enrollment and a $6,500 donation from Atmos Energy for safety equipment; both passed unanimously, 11-0.

What\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 next: The superintendent said final pay proposals will be presented in May after the county commission\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 determines tax and transfer decisions; if commission funding falls short the district may need to rework pay proposals and line items.

Votes at the meeting included device and budget tallies that will affect classroom technology and staffing plans for 2025-26.","School board approved the district\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: March Williamson County School Board meeting

Students and parents press board for more hands-on learning, mental-health supports and library protections

Board replaces recommended elementary and middle school science texts with STEMScopes and defers AP Psychology

Williamson County board approves 2025–26 operating budget after Chromebook-cart amendment