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Friday Recap October 24th, 2025

Bill Petty

25 Oct 2025 — 16 min read

BOMA Election

Early voting ended on the 23rd and election day is the 28th. All four wards are up this cycle, but only 2 and 4 have more than one candidate.

Matt Brown is the incumbent in Ward 2 and his challengers are Errin Watkins and BK Muvvala. Patrick Baggett is the incumbent in Ward 4 and his challenger is Rodney Taylor. The Williamson County Republican Party held a forum to which all but Matt Brown attended; to watch it go to Forum to hear what the candidates have to say.

U.S Representative district 7

We all need to get behind our Republican candidate Matt Van Epps as this is not a lay down election. The Democrats are well organized and energized. As I mentioned earlier, the vote differential between Republicans and Democrats in the recent primary was only 18%, 36,854 Republicans to 31,002 Democrats for a difference of only 5,852 votes. The Democrat establishment is zeroing in on this election and if they can flip this seat to blue, it will change the dynamic in Washington and give the Democrats a win that will reverberate around the country. We cannot let this happen.

Van Epps' opponent is a leftist who would fit right in with AOC and her cohorts. Here is her press release from October 7th.

Behn declares victory in the TN-07 Democratic Primary — proving that corporate money can’t buy the heart of Tennessee.

CLARKSVILLE, TN — State Representative Aftyn Behn wins the Democratic nomination for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, emerging from a crowded field to carry a populist, people-powered message into one of the nation’s most closely watched special elections.

Behn, the only woman and youngest Democrat in the race, declared victory Tuesday night, saying the results send a clear message that voters are ready for change — and that Tennessee is not the lost cause pundits make it out to be.

“This campaign proved what the pundits said was impossible — that grassroots organizing can go toe-to-toe with corporate money, that a woman from the movement can take on the machine, and that Tennessee is ready for a new kind of Democrat.

This isn’t just a win — it’s a warning shot. The path to flipping TN-07 runs through authenticity, organizing, and a candidate who knows how to fight and how to win.

For too long, Tennessee Democrats have been told to moderate more, spend more, and hope for the best. If that playbook worked, we’d already have a blue state. What we proved tonight is that energy, honesty, and people-power beat corporate money and poll-tested messaging every single time.

This win isn’t the end — it’s the spark. In sixty days, we can flip this seat and shift the balance of power in Washington. Tennessee just sent a message: women still fight, organizers still win, and Democrats in the Deep South are far from done.”

The special election was triggered by the resignation of Republican Congressman Mark Green, who left to take a lucrative lobbying position. The race has drawn national attention as the first major election since the passage of the so-called ‘Big Ugly Bill’ and the first referendum of the Trump 2.0 era.

Tennessee’s 7th District, an R+18 seat spanning Middle and West Tennessee, has become an unexpected battleground. Early vote totals showed Republicans at 50.52% and Democrats at 49.28%, underscoring the competitiveness of a race many assumed would be unwinnable for Democrats.

Behn’s grassroots campaign built momentum through authenticity and organizing power rather than corporate money. With nearly 3,000 grassroots contributions, 600+ volunteers, and endorsements from Indivisible Tennessee, Her Bold Move, Tennessee College Democrats, and Progressive Democrats of America and others, her team created a multi-county coalition uniting urban and rural voters alike.

Recent independent polling shows Behn within three points of her Republican opponent heading into the general election. National Democrats are closely watching Tennessee’s 7th as a potential bellwether for 2026, with Donald Trump’s favorability underwater at 55% in the district and Democrats outperforming Republicans by double digits in special elections nationwide.

The general election for Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District will take place on Tuesday, December 2nd.

This is no joke, you must get out and vote, the country depends on it.

The voter registration deadline for the District 7 special election is Nov. 3, 2025.

Key dates:

Voter registration deadline: Nov. 3
Early voting: Nov. 12-26
Absentee ballot request deadline: Nov. 22
Election Day: Dec. 2

If you have any questions contact the Williamson County Election Commission at 615-790-5711.

Important Williamson County Meeting

On Tuesday the 28th, the Williamson County Public Building Authority is meeting in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. This meeting will be held to conduct interviews for the Owners Representative position for the Williamson County Court System Project, receive an update regarding the Williamson County JJJ Project and any other related business brought to the Committee at that time. The companies that will be interviewed include Capital Project Solutions, Codell Construction Company and Oversite Consulting. This is an open meeting. If you want to attend and/or speak, you may do so.

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The AI program I use is pretty accurate, but it does make mistakes from time to time and I don't always catch them. I provide agendas and videos/audios when I have them available and recommend that you watch the video and follow along with the summary to get the most accurate report.

One of the limitations of AI is that if a participant's name is not called out, then they are listed as participant 1, 2, etc. A limitation with audio, as opposed to video, is that one cannot always identify a person by voice alone. As imperfect as these AI summaries are, they still give a pretty good account of a meeting.

Williamson County School District

Monday October 20th

School Board Agenda Video meeting starts at 30 minute mark

AI Summary

Overview

Williamson County Board of Education approved $3,184,000 for 19 new school buses (8 general education, 7 special education, 4 growth buses)
Board adopted first reading of revised textbook selection policy requiring committee oath and strengthening deference to teacher recommendations
Cell phone policy amendment passed delaying implementation until August 1, 2026 after concerns about mid-year changes from high school principals and parents
Superintendent goals approved including $40,000+ salary study to be completed by May 2026
Public safety concerns raised about student threat response protocols after video claiming 180-day suspension wasn't enforced
Sunset Elementary principal conduct complaints presented citing wrongful termination and unapproachable behavior
Summer EBT program advocacy urged to help 3,600 food-insecure Williamson County students

Musical performance by Clovercroft Elementary students

Mrs. Baker and 18 second graders from Clovercroft Elementary performed the musical "Nuts" by John Jacobson and John Higgins
Baker explained this 15-year tradition started when Clovercroft opened with Dr. Wachansky in attendance
Performance included songs "Circle of Life," "We're Nuts," "Big Bad Squirrels," "Rain," and "The Sun"
Baker noted high school cheerleaders still remember and perform songs from this musical years later

Science textbook selection process concerns

Holly Allgood served on middle school science textbook selection committee and praised the rigorous process involving oath-signing, vision creation, and district-wide teacher evaluation
Committee's selected textbook wasn't approved by the board, leading to adoption of StemScope which teachers considered less rigorous
Allgood requested three policy changes: requiring all committee members including ex officio board members to sign oath, providing deference to selection committee per TCA 49-6-2207, and detailing what happens when board doesn't approve committee selection

Student safety and threat response protocols

Brad Davis questioned enforcement of district's "Time to Talk Threats" video stating students making mass violence threats "will be sent to Alternative Learning Center for 180 days"
Davis reported student who threatened to murder his daughter and 3 friends remained at school despite documented violence history
Cited conflicting explanations from officials about federal law constraints versus school system capabilities
Requested clear explanation of what allows violent students with murderous intent to remain at school

Sunset Elementary principal conduct complaints

Hillary Stocker presented complaints about Principal Tina Aaron citing inappropriate interactions with students, parents, and staff
Reported teacher Christy Serpes was wrongfully terminated and another excellent teacher quit with no backup plan due to Aaron's behavior
Stocker waited 8 months for response to initial concerns until copying Margie Johnson on emails
Called for investigation into Aaron's conduct and wrongful termination, noting 4 additional parents have sent complaint letters since their meeting

Freedom to Teach Committee and educator compensation

Beverly Purvis from Williamson County Education Association advocated for Advisory Committee on Innovations in K12 Education (Freedom to Teach Committee)
Urged board to advocate for legislation reducing unnecessary testing, strengthening educator respect, and providing school resources
Emphasized need for competitive teacher salaries and retention of great educators
Requested board honor wireless device policy committee consensus rather than making drastic mid-year changes

Textbook selection policy board deference

Valerie Dibley requested highest level of deference to appointed textbook committees
Emphasized trusting professional educators and subject matter experts for material selection
Called for board members participating in committees to take state-mandated oath for transparency
Requested secondary review requirement if committee choices aren't followed

Summer EBT program advocacy

Avery Allen, Class of 2023 WCS graduate, advocated for Summer EBT program return
Reported 58% of Tennessee kids eligible for free/reduced school meals and 3,600 Williamson County kids struggle with food access
Noted $120 Summer EBT benefit helped 700,000 Tennessee kids in 2024 before state opted out
WCS provides close to 3 million meals annually but students lose access during summer break

Special schools transportation reimbursement approval

Board approved $136,618 special education transportation grant
Jason Golden recommended approval to receive funds and place in appropriate expenditure lines
Motion passed 12 yes, 0 no

School bus replacement purchase

Board approved $3,184,000 resolution for 19 replacement buses
Breakdown: 8 general education buses, 7 special education buses, 4 special education growth buses
Brian King's analysis showed buses have 15-18 year life depending on mileage and condition
Includes net reduction in total general education bus fleet
Motion passed 12 yes, 0 no

Salary transfer resolution approval

Board approved $12,465,616 inter-category transfer for 2025-26 salary increases
Jason Golden explained this places county commission-approved pay increases into appropriate line items
Represents annual 2% raise for faculty and staff
Motion passed 12 yes, 0 no

Textbook selection policy revisions

Policy 4.401 passed first reading with committee makeup specifications and improved board-teacher communication
Tony Bostic emphasized bridging gap between board and teachers throughout selection process
Discussion addressed whether board members serving ex officio need to take committee oath
Dana Ousbrooks offered to provide proposed oath language requiring all committee members including board members to sign
Policy returns to committee for second review before November second reading

Wireless communication device policy amendments

Policy 6.312 passed first reading with "away for the day" K-12 implementation
Reeves amended policy to delay implementation until August 1, 2026 rather than immediate effect
Amendment passed 11 yes, 1 no, main policy passed 11 yes, 1 no
Screen Time Committee consisting of parents, teachers, administrators and 2 board members recommended against mid-year lunch restriction changes
All 9 high school principals requested no mid-year policy changes restricting lunch phone access

Cell phone restrictions

Adam Wright from screen time committee advocated for "away and off the body" standard and bell-to-bell K-12 policy
Cited University of Texas study showing phones in another room improved cognitive performance versus phones on desk or in pocket
Observed 3 silent lunch tables with phone use versus 1 active table with students playing games and socializing
Wright noted 40% of schools nationwide adopted bell-to-bell policies with no districts expressing regret

Away for the day versus lunch access debate

Melissa Wyatt supported keeping lunch access for high school students, noting 9 high school principals opposed mid-year changes
Cited need for enhanced WCS student email accounts allowing outside communication before restricting lunch phone access
Donna Clements encouraged board members to visit high school lunches, reported Franklin High showed minimal phone use during her observation
Claire Reeves advocated for complete away-for-the-day policy citing research on phone addiction and brain changes similar to drug addiction

Textbook committee membership approval

Board approved textbook committee for P.E., health, science, and CTE course adoptions
Jason Golden noted memo listed 7 parent nominees but actual document contained 12 members
Board members provided parent recommendations based on October work session discussions
Motion passed 12 yes, 0 no

Superintendent goals and salary study discussion

Board approved 4 superintendent goals including professional salary study completion by May 2026
Estimated study cost minimum $40,000 based on county government's $20,000 study, potentially up to $100,000+
Johnson initially moved to strike salary study goal due to cost concerns but withdrew motion after process clarification
Rachel Farmer confirmed RFP process would return to board for final contract approval
All goals approved 12 yes, 0 no

Board goals and corporate sponsorship

Board approved 2 goals: supporting corporate sponsorship initiatives and increasing school visibility/engagement
Golden noted board hasn't set self-goals in recent years, focused instead on district goals
Brown recommended board participate in "beating the bushes" for corporate support
Goals approved 12 yes, 0 no

State and national championship recognitions

Carol Birdsong announced multiple state and national awards including Sunset Middle School's Best Buddies International Outstanding Middle School Chapter
Page Middle School eighth grade band named 2025 Mark of Excellence commended winner
Multiple state champions: Woodland Middle School girls tennis, Heritage Middle School cross country individual champions, Legacy and Woodland boys cross country teams
Page High School girls golf Class 2A state champions
Staff recognitions: Chris Sanders boys golf coach of the year, Pam Baden girls flag football coach of the year, Pete Miller wrestling coach of the year

Williamson County Commission

Monday October 20th

Tax Study Committee Agenda Audio Committee members: Lisa Hayes(Chair), Gregg Lawrence( V/Chair), Drew Torres. Mary Smith, Steve Smith. Commissioner Steve Smith was absent.

AI Summary

Overview

Committee appointed Lisa Hayes as chair and Greg Lawrence as vice chair
Approved September 8th meeting minutes with a 4-0 vote
Approved resolution to increase elderly tax relief income requirements from $47,000 to $63,000, effective next year
New income threshold will cost approximately $270,000 in next year's budget
Income requirements will automatically increase annually based on Social Security cost of living adjustments

Appointment of chair and vice chair

Committee appointed Lisa Hayes chair
Chair nominated Greg Lawrence for vice chair

Approval of September 8th meeting minutes

Committee approved the September 8th meeting minutes with a 4-0 vote

Resolution to increase elderly tax relief income requirements

Mary Smith proposed resolution to increase eligible income requirements for the Williamson County Broad-Based Tax Relief Program
Resolution increases qualifying income from $47,000 to $63,000 effective next yearWork on this Work began on this in May after constituent raised concerns about two different tax relief programs: tax freeze (state-run) and Williamson County Broad-Based Tax Relief Program
$63,000 threshold was calculated using cost of living index and inflation calculator
Karen Paris (county trustee) estimated the increase will cost $270,000 in next year's budget based on application rates and qualifying residents
New $63,000 threshold is still slightly lower than state tax freeze program threshold of $67,000
Resolution maintains annual automatic increases tied to Social Security cost of living adjustments
Applications for current year already came in, so resolution will take effect next year to avoid pressure on Karen Paris's team
Original program started in 2007 at $28,000 with 3.3% annual increases, but those increases didn't keep pace with actual cost of living
Committee approved the resolution unanimously

Wednesday October 22nd

Property Committee Agenda/Resolutions Resolution Audio Committee members: Barb Sturgeon (chair), Ricky Jones (V/chair), Brian Clifford, Jennifer Mason, Matt Williams. Commissioner Sturgeon was absent.

AI Summary

Overview

Williamson County approved $120,000 donation from Heritage Foundation for Van German Hospital renovation with lease starting January 15th, 2026
Committee amended resolution requesting state legislators to seek private act or general law amendment regarding hospital sale proceeds restrictions—final vote was 3-1 after discussion about potential interference with ongoing hospital RFP process
County granted easement to City of Franklin for 2 foot by 2 foot battlefield marker on northwest corner of county property
Sheriff's Department declared 110 surplus rifles from 200 total inventory surplus at estimated replacement cost of $200,000

Approval of September 24th meeting minutes

Committee unanimously approved minutes from September 24th, 2025 meeting

Deferred temporary sign regulation resolution

Resolution to amend Williamson County temporary sign regulation concerning temporary signs on county-owned property remained deferred
Commissioner Torres and another commissioner had drafted the resolution but haven't circled back to finalize it
Committee moved on without motion or second

City of Franklin easement for battlefield marker

Committee unanimously approved 2 foot by 2 foot easement to City of Franklin for permanent federal line battlefield marker
Marker will be placed on northwest corner of county community service building property
City is expanding battlefield signage around the area with larger decorative iron markers seen throughout town
Easement has no impact on county property operations

Hospital sale proceeds restrictions and private act request

Commissioner Williams serves on hospital board of trustees since 2017 and noted Certificate of Need (CON) laws have become increasingly toothless over time
County has provided approximately $220 million to hospital over the years that could be recouped if hospital sells
Current state law restricts use of proceeds beyond recouped funds to public health purposes only
Hospital currently expends $12 million annually on ambulance service that potential buyers indicated they won't continue
County spends roughly $40 million per year on employee healthcare costs, which may or may not qualify as public health benefit under current restrictions
Commissioner Williams expressed concern that unrestricted access to proceeds would prevent hospital board from establishing foundation to fund community health services in perpetuity
Commissioner Clifford raised concern that existing law prevents 20 commissioners from having input on proceeds while giving control to 4 commissioners on hospital board
State legislators require two-thirds commission vote before bringing private act to General Assembly
Filing deadline for legislative session is January 13th
Hospital board is conducting RFP process to evaluate both sale options and staying independent

Ambulance service funding and continuity concerns

Williamson Health currently pays $12 million annually for ambulance service from operational proceeds, not taxpayer dollars
Entity acquiring hospital would not continue ambulance service
County passed resolutions in past two years providing $8 million this year for ambulance-related expenses
Williamson Health currently provides technicians while county provides ambulances
If hospital sells, county would need to contract with third-party providers for ambulance technicians

Timing and interference with hospital RFP process

Commissioner Jones questioned whether passing resolution would put pressure on hospital board during RFP process
Commissioner Williams confirmed board is trying to run process with minimal interference and focus on maximizing healthcare services for community
Committee discussed concern that resolution could create noise and potentially influence board members' decisions

Amendment to private act resolution language

Commissioner Clifford proposed striking specific language about capital project expenses and replacing with broader request
Amendment struck Section 1 and Section 2 language and replaced with request for legislators to "seek a private act or amend the general law to provide Williamson County an exception" to Tennessee code restrictions
Amendment gives legislators flexibility to work on language during January through June legislative session without shoe stringing county to specific approach
Committee unanimously approved amendment
Final resolution as amended passed 3-1 with Commissioner Williams voting no

Surplus county-owned weapons

Sheriff's Department declared 110 rifles surplus out of 200 total rifle inventory
Estimated 10,000 to 15,000 rounds fired through each surplus rifle according to armorer
Replacement cost budgeted at approximately $200,000
Commissioner Williams noted rifles lack consistent furniture for standardizing accessories across inventory
Law enforcement committee previously approved the surplus designation
Committee unanimously approved resolution

Middle Tennessee Electric easement for Columbia Avenue expansion

Middle Tennessee Electric requested easement for electric service related to Columbia Avenue expansion
Project involves moving one pole and replacing one pole on county property
Property is old highway garage next to Moody's, currently leased to TMA (transportation)
County will lose some property footage but won't affect building usage
County still working with Middle Tennessee Electric on exact pole locations and dimensions
Committee unanimously approved resolution

Van German Hospital lease with Heritage Foundation

Heritage Foundation will lease Van German Hospital for $1 per year starting January 15th, 2026
Heritage Foundation donating $120,000 to county in two installments for building renovation
Rick Warwick (county historian) will base operations out of building
Building will be included in Friday night art crawls
One front room will rotate displays featuring local country music icons
Building being upgraded to ADA compliance
County approved approximately $85,000 for landscaping improvements
Building is one of few green spaces in downtown Franklin
Public will have access to building
Committee unanimously approved resolution

Monday October 27th

Education Committee meets at 5:30pm in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin Agenda/Resolutions

Tuesday October 28th

The Public Building Authority meets a 9:00am in the Executive Conference Room in the County Building at 1320 W. Main, Franklin. This meeting will be held to conduct interviews for the Owners Representative position for the Williamson County Court System Project, receive an update regarding the Williamson County JJJ Project and any other related business brought to the Committee at that time. The companies that will be interviewed include Capital Project Solutions, Codell Construction Company and Oversite Consulting.

Special Note: Since Williamson County does not record any meetings other than the commission, budget committee and planning commission meetings, I am recording all the meetings that I attend on my iPhone. We are in the process of reviewing a technology upgrade that will allow the county to record more meetings as well as include agendas, minutes and packets on our website. I will keep you up to date when progress is made

Board of Mayor and Aldermen

For all meetings last week and next week, go here

Election Commission

Nothing this week or next

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. W 2:3hen we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer gently.” (1^st Corinthians 4:12-13)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" Philippians 2:3

Blessings,

Bill

pettyandassociates@gmail.com

Community resources

If you like Friday Recap, check out these other grassroots conservative projects!

Grassroots Citizens of Williamson County Provides free tools and information to help grassroots conservatives exercise their citizenship here in Williamson County.
Tennessee Voters for Election Integrity is helping restore confidence in Tennessee Elections.
TruthWire Local news and commentary.
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.

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