Williamson County board faces public backlash over textbook choices; approves AP Psychology text

The Williamson County Board of Education on April 21 heard more than a dozen public comments criticizing recent textbook decisions and then voted 11-0 to adopt the AP Psychology textbook recommended by the district committee.

The controversy surfaced during the public comment period, when multiple parents, current and former teachers, and students criticized the board’s decision last month to override teacher committee recommendations for K–8 science texts and other selection choices. “It is disappointing that you chose not to reconsider this vote after the mountain of feedback you received,” Angela Frederick told the board. Teacher and parent speakers said they felt the board had dismissed professional educators’ recommendations and urged the board to work with teachers going forward.

The board returned to unfinished business from last month and took up the AP Psychology textbook adoption. Superintendent Golden reminded members of the curriculum committee presentation and the recent change in the AP exam format. Dr. Allen and Ashley Flood had presented details at a work session, Golden said, and he recommended approval of the committee’s selection. After a brief discussion, the board voted to approve the AP Psychology committee’s recommendation, with the clerk recording the vote as 11 yes, 0 no.

Why it matters: Speakers said the dispute has strained relationships between classroom teachers and the board and could affect teacher morale and classroom instruction. Carrie Barnard, a parent, said the decision to replace the committee’s top recommendation with another text “is a slap in the face to the teachers of this district.” Speakers also provided counts they said reflected community concern: one commenter said roughly 171 community emails had been sent to the board about the textbook issue, including 81 from teachers, and that 86% of the emailed responses opposed the board’s earlier decision.

Details and context: Supporters of the board's earlier choices told the board they were concerned about perceived bias in some curricula and wanted supplemental materials presenting alternative viewpoints. Teacher and librarian speakers stressed classroom alignment with state science standards and the professional judgment of educators. Robert Jackson, a Centennial High School U.S. history and economics teacher, urged the board to avoid measures that would punish students for their families' immigration status when he addressed unrelated legislative proposals during public comment.

What happened next: Following the adoption vote on AP Psychology, the board continued with budget and capital items on its agenda. Several speakers asked that the board solicit more input from teachers on future curriculum choices and to ensure ethical practices for textbook committees; at least one public commenter suggested all committee members should sign a standard oath used by the district’s committee members.

Ending: Board members and district staff repeatedly urged communication between parents, librarians and teachers and said they would continue work on curriculum and implementation matters as testing and the next school year approach.