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School board approves annual open‑zone list; consent agenda OK'd
Summary
The Williamson County School Board approved its annual list of open‑zone schools after discussion about application timing and construction impacts. The board also approved a consent agenda that included minutes, shade‑structure requests and an easement request.
The Williamson County School Board on Jan. 21 approved its annual list of open‑zone schools and passed a consent agenda that included meeting minutes, two elementary shade structures and an easement request for the City of Franklin.
The open‑zone vote clears the way for the district to open an online application window two weeks after the board vote; the administration said that window will be posted on Feb. 4 and will close April 15. Superintendent Golden said the open‑zone process is required under a state law that also requires a lottery if requests exceed available seats.
Board members discussed construction and capacity when considering which campuses to designate as open‑zone. The administration recommended opening Brentwood High School and Brentwood Middle School with caveats tied to projected construction timelines and traffic flow. Superintendent Golden said the district projects available seats using multi‑year enrollment projections and board policy that allows a student admitted through open zoning to remain at that school through the last grade at that campus; a sibling clause also applies.
The board approved the annual open‑zone list in a recorded motion (moved by Board Member Donna Clements; second by Board Member Tony Bostick). The meeting record shows the vote as 8 yes and 1 no; an inconsistent tally appears later in the transcript and should be clarified in the official minutes. The board also approved the consent agenda by voice vote (moved by Board Member Tony Bostick; second by Board Member Donna Clements). Items on the consent agenda included approval of the Nov. 18, 2024 and Dec. 9, 2024 meeting minutes; annual review of board policies; approval of shade structures at Arrington and Scales elementaries; a City of Franklin easement request for the innovation hub project; and recommendations on field trip fee requests.
Superintendent Golden and board members answered questions about application mechanics. Golden said families may apply to more than one open‑zone school (there is no district cap on how many schools a student may list) but must commit to one school after approvals are finalized following the April 15 deadline. He also said the district will help families without electronic access complete applications. Board Members asked how many transfers would be needed to remove portables at Nolensville Elementary; Golden estimated roughly 40 transfers could create that possibility but noted there are costs and logistics to moving portables.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of consent agenda — mover: Tony Bostick; second: Donna Clements; outcome: approved (voice vote). Included: approval of Nov. 18, 2024 and Dec. 9, 2024 minutes; annual review of board policies; shade structures at Arrington and Scales elementaries; City of Franklin easement request for innovation hub; field trip fee recommendations.
- Approval of annual open‑zone school list — mover: Donna Clements; second: Tony Bostick; recorded vote: 8 yes, 1 no; outcome: approved. (Transcript contains an inconsistent reading later in the record; see official minutes for confirmation.)
The board chair closed the meeting after the votes.
