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Teachers and library advocates press Williamson County to fully fund education and a Nolanville library expansion
Summary
Teachers' union and library advocates urged commissioners to fully fund the school district budget — including a 4% pay increase for educators — and to allocate $900,000 for a Nolanville library expansion, saying the moves are necessary to retain staff and meet community needs.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the May 11 Williamson County Commission meeting to urge full funding for educators and county library capital projects.
Beverly Pervvis, president of the Williamson County Education Association, told commissioners the association seeks "the next step by choosing to fully fund the district's budget, including the 4% raise for our teachers and staff next year." She said the raise "simply keeps pace with inflation" and warned that failing to fund the increase effectively amounts to a pay cut that could cause educators to leave the profession or county.
Jessica Rob, a board member of the Williamson County Public Library System, asked commissioners to support full funding for a proposed $900,000 expansion of the Nolanville branch as part of the capital budget. Rob noted the branch has long outgrown its space and that prior city contributions had helped similar projects; she urged the commission to fund the project rather than accept a lower amount proposed by the budget committee.
Library board member Mandy Tate also spoke in favor of expanded library facilities, describing libraries as "essential social and civic hubs" that host story times, tutoring, teen programs and community events. She cited an example of a recent community program drawing 60 residents and said county residents deserve equitable access across branches.
The commission did not make a formal vote on those specific funding requests during the meeting; dozens of other agenda items followed, including budget amendments and appropriations across county departments. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the public comments and said the requests would be considered as the capital and operating budgets proceed through the committee and commission process.
Next steps: Funding decisions for the school-district budget and library capital projects will proceed through the county budget process; commissioners asked staff and budget committees to consider the requests.
