Parents and students urge Williamson County board to fund arts teachers and pay directors

Multiple parents and students used the public comment period to ask the Williamson County Board of Education to stabilize arts funding and stop requiring PTOs and families to cover director and coaching supplements.

Amy Cook, a PTO board member and parent, said this is the first year she has seen a line item on the PTO budget to pay director salaries and described the current flow: parents pay PTOs, PTOs pay Williamson County, then Williamson County pays supplements. She said that process places an unfair burden on families and urged a summer process in which principals and directors request funds so schools can plan for multiple shows without relying on parents.

Seventh-grader Eden Cook described theater as a place for confidence and cited the district’s national recognition, including a JTF team performance before 7,000 people. Fifth-grader Vivian Cook said paying directors would let families who cannot afford multiple fundraisers still participate in programs.

Beverly Purvis, president of the Williamson County Education Association, separately thanked the board for including funding for a 4% cost-of-living raise, saying the move helps retention and stability for educators.

Superintendent Golden later acknowledged booster and PTO support can supplement extracurriculars, said the district is reviewing supplements and salary structures, and noted an ongoing salary study to make market-appropriate recommendations.

The board did not vote on a separate funding motion in public comment; district leaders said budget decisions tied to compensation and supplements were part of the formal budget discussion later in the meeting.