Friday Recap for March 21, 2025
There was a lot happening this week:
- The school board met on Monday and passed their budget for 25-26 and voted on new science books.
- The Williamson County Human Resources Committee met on Monday to review the budget for 25-26.
- The Williamson County Conservatives (WCC) turned in their challenge to the March 4th reorganization convention.
- The Williamson County Law enforcement and Public Safety committee met on Wednesday to review the Sheriff's budget 25-26.
- The Purchasing and Insurance Committee met on Thursday to review the risk management budget.
- The Williamson County Planning Commission met on Thursday and reviewed 6 major development proposals in the Triune and Arrington areas.
- The Williamson County Health Board met on Thursday.
- City of Franklin Budget and Finance met on Thursday.
As you can see, there is a lot to cover. I am using an AI program that creates summaries for me for all recorded meetings. It does a pretty good job of hitting the high points, but misses comments and discussions that I think should be included. Because of this, I highly recommend that you view the provided videos to get a fuller picture.
The WCC challenge:
I don't want to go into a lot of detail about this as we don't have both sides of the issue yet. The WCC presented a detailed complaint about the conduct of the March 4th reorganization convention and the WCRP has seven days, as of Wednesday, to reply to their accusations. The State Executive Committee has the responsibility to decide the issue and, as of now, we don't have a specific date for that to happen. I will let you know as soon as the date and time become official.
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Williamson County School District
The full school board met on Monday agenda video
Here are the notes for Williamson County Board of Education Meeting March 17 2025.
AI summary:
Action Items
Rachel Farmer explore tax deduction options for curriculum donationsResearch and explore possibilities for families to claim tax deductions on curriculum donations (formerly fees)
Josh Brown revisit strategic plan with new board membersSchedule review of strategic plan with new board members within next 90-120 days to discuss modifications and strategic direction
Jason Golden bring AP Psychology textbook recommendationBring new AP Psychology textbook recommendation to the April board meeting for consideration
Overview
- Board approved $5.2M Chromebook budget with $909,000 amendment for charging carts to enable devices to stay at school
- Approved 2025-26 general purpose school fund budget with projected $11M gap after expected $4M in state funding
- Selected STEM Scopes science curriculum for K-8 grades, replacing committee's recommendations
- Deferred AP Psychology textbook selection to April 2024 meeting for further review
- Transitioned from required curriculum fees to voluntary donations for 2025-26 school year
- Recognized 85 National Merit students and 29 reward schools
Public input on student experiences and equity
- One Will Co Teen Conference highlighted student priorities:
- Greater teacher accountability without adverse consequences
- More exposure to vocational and non-traditional education resources
- Enhanced pathways for student-teacher communication
- Students requested:
- Additional mental health resources including group counseling
- Multiple pathways for post-graduation success beyond college
- More equitable disciplinary actions across student demographics
Student recognition for National Merit and athletics
- Recognized 85 National Merit students across district high schools
- Celebrated 5 state wrestling champions:
- Independence High School: Riddick Romano (144 pound category)
- Nolensville High School: Brody Mulzani (165 pound) and Chase Mays (190 pound)
- Summit High School: Zachary Little (150 pound) and Braden Leach (157 pound)
- District achieved record 29 reward schools
General purpose school fund budget for 2025-26
- Projected 0.44% decrease in student population for coming year
- Operations costs decreased by $1M excluding Chromebook purchases
- Teacher pay currently ranks 27th in state while per-pupil spending near state average
- County Commission projected 4% increase in funding for pay raises
- Budget vote passed 10-1
Chromebook purchasing and cart storage plan
- Approved $6.2M total budget including $909,000 for charging carts
- Plan includes 866 carts for elementary schools
- Reduced device ratios for K-2 grades
- Enables option for devices to remain at school rather than requiring home transport
- Technology committee to evaluate appropriate classroom screen time use
Science textbook adoption and STEM Scopes selection
- Board amended committee recommendation to adopt STEM Scopes for K-8: Discussion starts at 2:39:47.
- Replaced Savvas for K-2 and grades 3-5
- Replaced McGraw Hill for grades 6-8
- Original teacher votes showed:
- K-2: 42% favored Savvas, 7% STEM Scopes
- Grades 3-5: 82% favored Savvas
- Grades 6-8: Split between Savvas and McGraw Hill
- Amendment passed 8-2 with one abstention
AP Psychology textbook deferral
- Removed AP Psychology textbook selection from adoption package
- Board to review options and make selection at April 2024 meeting
- Current AP Psychology program shows 73% pass rate versus 62% national average
- 725 students took AP Psychology exam in 2024
Transition from required fees to voluntary donations
- Changed curricular fees to voluntary donations for 2025-26 school year
- Maintained ability to charge for extracurricular activities
- District exploring potential tax deduction eligibility for curriculum donations
- PTOs and booster clubs to continue supporting students unable to pay activity fees
The role of the school board
What is the role of the school board? The school board's responsibility is to provide oversight and direction for the school district.
- All policies, and there are well over a hundred, are written and approved by the board. You may have noticed the months long debate on changes to the Library policy that has taken place over the last year.
- Each year's budgets, and there are four, must be approved by the board.
- When new books are added to the curriculum, they must be approved by the board.
- Each years school calendar must be approved by the board.
- Hiring and extending the contract of the superintendent is the board's responsibility.
- The leadership of the school district is accountable to the board and their vote on any issue is final.
To be clear, the school board has only one employee and that is the superintendent. He answers to the board. If the board simply approves every request from the superintendent, then why have a board?
This past Monday, the board, after much study and deliberation, voted on the new science books. Most of the recommendations from the superintendent were approved. The only changes were for K-8 and the AP psychology textbook. For the K-8 books, the district picked books published by Savvas, but the board chose STEMscope. The AP psychology book was removed to give more time for the board to deliberate on it. The board had very good reasons for their decisions, and you can watch the entire discussion here, starting at 2:39:47 and running to 4:22.
Williamson County Commission
The Human Resources Committee met on Monday and recommended approval of the budget with a minor change to proposed new positions. There is no video or audio.
The Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committee met on Wednesday and recommended approval of the budget. There is no video or audio.
The Purchasing and Insurance Committee met on Thursday and I can only assume that recommended approval of the budget. There is no video or audio.
The Planning Commission met on Thursday agenda video agenda/packet video
AI Summary:
Action Items
Planning staff create Arrington development standardsWork with steering committee to create development standards to implement policies and recommendations from the Arrington Special Area Plan during summer/fall 2025
Planning staff inspect Terra Vista trees and landscapingConduct site visit to Terra Vista to inspect tree situation and compare to approved landscaping plan, following up on concerns about trees cut down in June
Overview
- Planning Commission reviewed 6 major development proposals in the Triune and Arrington areas
- Commission approved Village at Triune East with 61 single-family lots and 62 multi-family lots on 63.78 acres
- Commission approved Village at Triune West with 97 single-family lots and 133 townhome lots on 156.26 acres
- Arrington Village Special Area Plan was adopted into the comprehensive land use plan
- All developments required to include 12-foot wide multimodal greenway trails with public access easements
Public input on Triune development preservation
- Ginger Sherling emphasized need to protect green spaces, rural heritage, and agricultural enterprise in Triune
- Penny Kimley highlighted importance of preserving Triune's equestrian culture, dating back to 1963 Triune Saddle Club
- Lucy Hatcher advocated for maintaining equestrian access and trail connectivity in development plans
- Multiple residents stressed preserving Triune's distinctive character with agricultural corridors and green pastures
Arrington Village Special Area Plan adoption
- Plan covers 325 acres across 37 parcels at intersections of Murfreesboro Road, Wilson Pike, and Cox Road
- Planning Commission held 5 public involvement meetings between February and January
- Plan organized around three key categories:
- Land use and historic preservation
- Design character and natural resources
- Infrastructure and governmental services
- Staff will create development standards in summer/fall 2025 to implement plan recommendations
Village at Triune East mixed-use development proposal
- Development includes:
- 61 single-family lots
- 62 multi-family lots
- Total 63.78 acres
- Density set at 1.93 dwelling units per acre
- Required traffic improvements must be completed by 2026
- Developer committed to public access on all greenway trails
- Planning Commission approved with staff recommendations
Village at Triune West mixed-use development proposal
- Development includes:
- 97 single-family lots
- 133 townhome lots
- Total 156.26 acres
- Density set at 1.47 dwelling units per acre
- Developer provided public road access to southern adjacent property
- All traffic improvements required by 2026
- Planning Commission approved with staff conditions
Stevens Valley concept plan road connection
- Proposal to add connection between Stevens Valley Boulevard and Pasquo Road
- Current plan places road 5 feet from existing dwelling
- Staff recommended relocating road north for better buffer
- Planning Commission deferred decision to April 2025 meeting
Burns subdivision concept plan with greenway trails
- Development includes 99 lots on 173.32 acres on Patton Road
- 69.51% of property designated as open space
- Required to construct 12-foot paved trail along northern border
- TDOT required cross-access easements to adjoining properties
- Planning Commission approved with staff conditions
The Williamson County Health Board met on Thursday and I have no information as they are not a County Commission Committee.
Next Week:
On Monday , the joint Budget and Education Committees packet (scroll down to 6.b. on the agenda and click on 3-5-25 packet for vote to see the full budget) will be meeting at 4:30 pm to review the school district's budget. They will meet in Williamson County Administrative Complex, Executive Conference Room, 1320 West Main.
On Tuesday, the Advisory Committee for the Williamson County Growth Plan will be meeting at 8:30 am in Williamson County Administrative Complex, Executive Conference Room, 1320 West Main . There is no more information.
On Tuesday, the Opioid Abatement Task Force will be meeting at 1:30 pm. in Williamson County Administrative Complex, Executive Conference Room, 1320 West Main There is no more information.
On Tuesday, the Rules Committee will be meeting at 4:30 pm in Williamson County Administrative Complex, Executive Conference Room, 1320 West Main. The purpose of this meeting is to explore implementing better communication from the county to our citizens. We will be considering how we might record all of our committee meetings as well as providing agendas, packets and minutes from all meetings. Right now, we are only recording the monthly commission meeting, the budget committee meeting and the county planning commission.
On Wednesday, the Property Committee will be meeting at 5:30 pm in Williamson County Administrative Complex, Executive Conference Room, 1320 West Main. They will be reviewing the county buildings budget which is not available yet.
On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be public work shops for Williamson County Green Ways Plan. Flyer explanation
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
Board of Mayor and Aldermen
The City of Franklin Budget and Finance Committee met on Thursday agenda video
AI summary:
Action Items
Nate Ridley Provide vehicle count dataProvide a graph showing the number of garbage/recycling cans issued over the last 4-5 years, percentage of diversion, and percentage of recycling participation
Lisa Clayton send pavilion revenue breakdownProvide detailed revenue breakdown by pavilion and by specific pavilion inside each park
Christine send upcoming meeting datesSend calendar with all remaining budget and BOMA meeting dates for the yearCommittee
Members submit PER rankings review and rank top 15 program enhancement requests (PERs) by Monday, March 31st, 2025
Overview
- Property assessor projected 65% overall county-wide property value increase for 2025 reappraisal
- Streets Department completed record $10 million in paving projects in 2024
- Sanitation processed over 73,000 tons of municipal solid waste and 2,700 tons of recycling
- Water Management reported 13% increase in gravity sewer infrastructure over past 5 years
- Budget & Finance Committee reviewed $9 million in total program enhancement requests across departments
- Water Management's debt service coverage ratio projected at 1.72 for year-end, above required 1.25 minimum
Property assessor reappraisal presentation
- Brad Coleman projected 65% overall county-wide property value increase for 2025 reappraisal, double the previous highest increase of 32%
- Property Assessor's office will mail 100,000+ assessment postcards to homeowners in May 2025
- Informal appeals process will run through May 2025
- County Board of Equalization formal appeals begin in June 2025
- City of Franklin's current assessed value of $7.6 billion projected to increase to $11.7 billion
- Indicated certified tax rate would decrease from $0.3261 to $0.2110 to maintain revenue neutrality
- Property tax bills reflecting new assessments will be mailed in October 2025
Streets department budget overview
- Personnel maintained at 77 employees across maintenance, traffic, and fleet divisions
- Completed record $10 million in paving projects in 2024
- Requested reclassification of admin secretary to admin assistant position
- Key equipment requests:
- Track skid steer replacement for street maintenance
- Salt brine production facility and equipment
- New 3/4 ton pickup truck for landscape team
- Platform truck replacement delayed to FY25-26
- Proposed $97,000 for electrostatic painting of bollards and street light poles around the square
Parks department budget overview
- Operating with 54 full-time positions
- Personnel budget increased to $5 million, up 5.8% due to medical premiums and pension costs
- Major projects status:
- Bicentennial Park construction to complete by early summer
- Main Barn facility coming online this year
- Pearl Bransford complex groundbreaking scheduled for next week
- Program enhancement requests include:
- LED light retrofit for baseball fields 5-8 at Jim Warren Park
- Liberty Park playground resurfacing from 2008 installation
- Replacement of 2014 skid steer with 4,000+ hours
- New mini skid steer for urban forestry operations
Sanitation and environmental services budget overview
- Department services 27,000 points with 60% recycling participation
- Processed 73,000 tons of municipal solid waste and 2,700 tons of recycling
- Personnel budget increased to $5.2 million, up 5.8%
- Operations budget decreased to $7.4 million, down 0.5% due to lower tonnage
- Key equipment requests:
- Materials handler for burn yard operations
- Mini automated side loader replacement
- 2012 road tractor replacement with 500,000+ miles
- New automated side loader for MSW collection
- 25-year-old forklift replacement
Water management budget overview
- Operating 400 miles of gravity sewer, increased 13% over past 5 years
- Managing 325 miles of water main, up 12% over past 5 years
- Personnel budget increased to $11 million, up 3.3%
- Operations budget increased 5.6% due to consultant services reallocation
- Capital budget decreased 41.88% due to ARPA-funded projects completion
- Debt service coverage ratio projected at 1.72 for year-end, above required 1.25 minimum
- Key requests include:
- New fiscal affairs manager position
- Biosolids operator position
- Water and wastewater infrastructure assessment technician
- Equipment including mini excavator and telehandler
Monthly financial reports update
- Sales tax revenue reached $6.6 million in February for December sales
- Final payment made on Water Sewer Revenue Series 2005 bond
- Gasoline tax revenues holding steady year over year
For the rest of this week and next week, go here
These are all public meetings and anyone can attend.
Williamson County Election Commission
There were not meetings this week and none scheduled for next week.
If not me, who?
If not now, when?
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
“We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer gently.” (1st Corinthians 4:12-13)
Blessings,
Bill
Community resources
If you like Friday Recap, check out these other grassroots conservative projects!
- Williamson County Citizens is a volunteer network of local voters that elect grassroots conservatives to public office.
- TruthWire News covers a broad spectrum of political and governmental issues, from the actions of your local school board and county commissioners to the machinations of city councils and state government officials.
- Tennessee Voters for Election Integrity is helping restore confidence in Tennessee Elections.
- Williamson County Republican Party is one of the most active parties in the state and captures the conservative heart of Tennessee.
- Mom's For Liberty Williamson County is dedicated to fighting for the American family by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government.
- Tennessee Stands produces video media, podcasts, and live events, and provides social commentary on relevant issues in our state.
- M4LU is a new site developed by the national Mom's for Liberty but generated right here in Williamson County. The mission of M4LU is to to inform, equip, and empower parents with knowledge, understanding and practical tools.
- WCSB Substack. This site reports on the Williamson County School Board meetings. It provides accurate summaries of all WCSB meetings.
Help educate citizens of Williamson County
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