Williamson County board approves $18.5M in capital projects, hires vendor for salary study and adopts open‑zone calendar

The Williamson County Board of Education on Jan. 20 approved a slate of capital projects and policy items during its regular meeting, voting to advance multimillion‑dollar renovations and to hire a consultant for a districtwide salary study. Board votes were largely unanimous across the major items.

The board approved intent to fund the Hillsborough K–8 renovation for $1,800,000 (year two of the project), a $4,000,000 renovation for Grassland Middle (year two of three), and $12,000,000 to replace stadium and sports‑field lighting with LED systems. The four capital items plus a $700,000 intercategory transfer to fund preliminary engineering for Split Log Middle total $18,500,000 in intent‑to‑fund decisions. Clerk vote tallies recorded 10 yes and 0 no on the first four funding approvals; the Split Log transfer was also approved 10–0. Superintendent Golden said the Hillsborough request will go to the county commission and noted the stadium lighting project may be eligible for TVA rebates that could cover up to about 10% of costs.

The board also approved a consultant contract to conduct a districtwide salary study. HR staff reported that four firms submitted proposals and a 13‑member evaluation team scored LeanFrog from Huntsville, Alabama, as the highest scorer; the company committed to an initial outline by May and to completing the full study later. The board voted 10–0 to approve the contract; the superintendent emphasized the study covers recommended salaries only and does not address the revenue side of the budget.

On open‑zone policy, the board approved the annual list of open‑zone schools and the calendar required by state law; the out‑of‑zone portal will open Feb. 4 and close April 16, with lotteries required where seats are oversubscribed. The vote on open‑zone recommendations was 10 yes, 1 abstain. The board also adopted a resolution celebrating the U.S. 250th anniversary by an 11–0 vote.

Board members asked procedural questions during the salary study discussion about bidder selection and scope; HR answered that all employees will be included in the study, that four firms responded and that LeanFrog scored highest under a rubric combining price and qualitative factors. No further substantive debate occurred on the capital expenditures during the meeting. The approved items will be taken to the county commission as required for commission‑level appropriations or, in the case of contingency funds, advanced by district staff as noted at the meeting.