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Parents and specialists press Williamson County board on bullying, special‑education changes and phone policy
Summary
Multiple parents, a clinical neuropsychologist and teachers raised concerns during public comment about bullying (especially for students with disabilities), the T2 special-education consolidation, student records access and the district’s reliance on technology; the superintendent said bullying data are still being compiled and that families will have choice on T2 placements.
Dozens of speakers filled the board’s public-comment period on June 15 to press the Williamson County Board of Education on bullying of students with disabilities, proposed special-education (T2) consolidations and technology use in schools.
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Sarah Richie told the board that students with neurodevelopmental disabilities are disproportionately targeted and recommended stronger consequences and prevention, including restrictions on phone access during the school day. “Children with intellectual disabilities can’t always verbally or otherwise report bullying,” she said, and urged the county to consider phone restrictions and stronger consequences for students who target peers.
Several parents gave detailed accounts of incidents they said the district must address. Courtney Davis described unlawful photography of her son Sam in a school bathroom and said that, while Franklin High School administration acted “promptly and vigilantly,” the district has limited authority to impose meaningful consequences. She called for policies that account for mental as well as physical safety.
Multiple parents and special-education staff — including Bill Barksdale and Melissa Hogan — criticized the district’s plan to consolidate the T2 transition program, arguing administrators have not provided impact studies, budgets or staff analyses to justify uprooting students. Barksdale cited state metrics and said the district excels on Indicator 14 (post‑school outcomes) yet has “Indicator 13, transition IEP compliance, 49% against a target of 100%,” and asked the board to demand the corrective action plan and any underlying data that justify consolidation.
Dr. Bonnie Barkstdale, a parent and MTSU faculty member, said the district’s records response to her request was obstructive (three boxes of paper rather than digital files), invoked federal regulation (34 C.F.R. 300.116[c]) about neighborhood placement, and said transportation changes could force long bus rides for students who rely on community‑based job sites.
Coaches, educators and parents also urged action on phone policies and proposed an athletic period in high schools to support student wellness and reduce scheduling conflicts; Ravenwood coach Ricky Rodriguez and others outlined academic and behavioral benefits that, they said, support implementing an athletic period.
District response: Superintendent Jason Golden said the district is still compiling bullying data for the academic year and emphasized strategies to encourage student reporting and interventions. On T2, Golden said families will retain school‑choice options so transition services will be available at the same locations as last year, and that administrators are working to improve communication and staffing. He also described the phone policy as an ongoing, evolutionary effort following pilot work.
What parents asked for: a written 2026–27 T2 plan with facility, staffing and transportation details; a formal pause or a pilot with clear criteria; better digital records access for families; and evidence‑based decisions on technology in classrooms.
Next steps: Board members and district staff acknowledged the need for continued communication and promised written follow-up on several requests (including records and compiled bullying data). Several parents asked for formal corrective action on Indicator 13 and for the district to produce the data that led to consolidation recommendations.
