Founders Classical Academy is a charter school that has applied to operate in Williamson County. That application was rejected – not once, but twice by the Williamson County School Board.
Now, Founders is appealing to the Tennessee Charter School Commission. If the Commission grants the appeal, Founders will open in Williamson County despite the objection of the elected school board.
Parents in Williamson County don’t seem happy about this possibility.
Jeni Davis, lifelong Tennessean, and parent of a Williamson County Schools student and a public school advocate, shared why she wants the State Charter School Commission to vote against Founders Classical Academy forcing themselves into the Williamson County Schools. “First of all, we believe that children across the state – all Tennessee children – deserve access to a high quality education with high quality curriculum that meets state standards and prepares all students to become successful and productive adult members of our community. And these classical charter schools, including Founders Classical Academy, do not meet these standards and putting them into our communities would be a great disservice to our students. This is why the school board has already voted against the school twice.”
A Williamson County advocacy group is accusing an incumbent school board member seeking re-election of bullying and sowing seeds of division and exclusion.
Here’s more from a story originally published on NewsBreak:
The Williamson Social Justice Alliance (WSJA) is speaking out on comments made by Williamson County School Board member Jay Galbreath relative to LGBTQ students and broader diversity issues.
Specifically, the group is condemning remarks Galbreath made in a Facebook comment on his candidate page.
In a statement, WSJA noted:
“Galbreath’s comments on his public Facebook page stated that the progressive agenda looks to ‘inject and normalize things like gender identity, the black lives matter movement, and LGBTQ by weaving it into the curriculum.’ Words like these from an elected official marginalize all of the queer students in our community, as well as students with queer parents, by shaming them and stating other children must be shielded from the knowledge of their existence. Such disregard from an adult, especially one who serves as an elected official responsible for representing a diverse array of constituents in a large community like Williamson County, leads to further division and exclusion in our schools and society as a whole.”
The group specifically highlighted the negative impact comments such as Galbreath’s can have on students and referred to his remarks as “bullying.”
“All children deserve protection from bullying, particularly when it’s coming from adults. Bullying from an adult in a position of power and influence in their community is unacceptable.”
In describing their mission, WSJA says:
“WSJA stands for the equality and liberty of students in our schools and community, inclusive of every skin color, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or gender identity, and believe that everyone, no matter their personal values, wishes equal treatment and opportunity for each student in Williamson County.”
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Williamson County School Board Chair Nancy Garrett recently announced a slew of endorsements for her re-election bid.
More from a story originally published at NewsBreak:
District 12 School Board candidate Nancy Garrett announced today that her campaign has the support of more than 100 public education leaders as the incumbent board member seeks re-election in August.
In a statement, Garrett said:
“I’m honored to have the support of these school leaders who are the backbone of our community. These citizens have worked together to build the positive national reputation of WCS schools in the arts, athletics, and academics.”
These endorsements include current and former parent volunteers from many school support organizations, former and retired local teachers, and former WCS and FSSD school board members and administrators.
Garrett, the incumbent District 12 representative for the Williamson County Board of Education, has also been elected by her fellow Board Members to serve as Board Chair since 2020. Prior to that, she served two terms as Vice Chair. A Williamson County Schools graduate, and daughter of a WCS teacher, she was appointed to the Board in November of 2016, and elected to the Board in 2018. She was a PTO leader every year of her son’s school career and has had 15 family members graduate from WCS.
Among the endorses is Lauren Sullivan, a former PTO President at Oakview Elementary, who said:
“Nancy Garrett loves her community and its citizens. She has a passion for our schools and children. I trust her to keep our students and teachers at the forefront of her decision-making process, and I enthusiastically endorse her for the District 12 school board seat.”
Kent McNish, a former Franklin Special School District (FSSD) Board Member said of Garrett:
“The voters of FSSD elected me to the Board of Education five times between 1994 and 2012. I was privileged to know and work with Nancy Garrett. She has a strong commitment to the children of the WCS. Her record of service is outstanding. I hope the voters of the 12th District will return her for another term. A good Board member brings no bias to the work of a school board–only what is in the best interest of children. She supports principals, teachers, and she supports families. I am proud to support Nancy Garrett for another term on the Williamson County Board of Education.”
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This story about the Williamson County School Board race first appeared on NewsBreak:
Eric Welch today announced a slew of endorsements in his campaign for re-election to the District 10 School Board seat in Williamson County.
Welch is the incumbent representative for the 10th District seat on the Williamson County Schools Board of Education. He was first elected in 2010 and has served three previous terms on the school board, including an appointment by the County Commission in 2017 followed by another successful general election campaign in 2018. Eric’s children attended FSSD and graduated from WCS high schools, where he was active in the PTOs and Booster clubs including multiple leadership roles in these parent organizations.
In announcing the endorsements, Welch noted his appreciation for the support of individuals from across the educational spectrum in Williamson County.
“I’m extremely proud and humbled to have the support of so many individuals that have been a part of making Williamson County synonymous with the best schools in Tennessee, and among the very best nationally,” said Welch. “I look forward to continuing to represent and advocate for our kids and families for another term on the Board of Education as the 10th District WCS School Board Representative,” said Welch.
A group of 13 former Williamson County School Board members said in a statement they believe Welch is the right choice to continue serving District 10 on the Board of Education.
“We believe in the high value of great public schools. As members of the Williamson County School Board, we had the distinct honor and privilege to serve our great community with Eric Welch during our individual tenures. Eric is an effective communicator, a careful listener, and an informed, thoughtful decision-makers who interacts with others with the greatest care, respect, and professionalism. He models the highest standards of personal integrity and performance, always. Eric’s previous School Board experience, outstanding character, and tireless commitment to Williamson County Schools and the community at large make him the best choice to continue the tradition of excellence for Williamson County Schools. We are proud to support Eric for the District 10 Williamson County School Board seat.”
Former Board members backing Welch include:
Pat Anderson, District 8 & WCS BOE Chairwoman (2002-14)
D’Wayne Greer, District 1 (2004-12)
Ken Peterson, District 1 (2012-15)
Janice Mills, District 2 (2002-14)
Janine Moore, District 3 (2007-2012)
Anne McGraw, District 4 (2015-18)
Brad Fiscus, District 4 (2018-21)
Terry Leve, J.D., District 6 (2006-12)
Cherie Hammond, District 6 (2012-14)
Dr. Bobby Hullett, District 7 (2012-2018)
Susan Graham, District 7 (2008-12)
Barry Watkins, District 9 (2005-2011)
Vicki Vogt, District 12 (2010-14)
Welch also announced the backing of a number of former PTO leaders, including:
Pat Anderson, PTO President Franklin High School
Michelle Behan, WCS PTO Leadership Council & PTO President Chapmans’ Retreat Elementary, Allendale Elementary, Summit High School
Susan Graham, PTO President Scales Elementary, Brentwood Middle, Brentwood High School
Cherie Hammond, WCS PTO Leadership Council & PTO President Ravenwood High School
Sabrina Kronk, PTO President Franklin High School
Janine Moore, PTO Trinity Elementary, Page Middle, Page High School
Stacy Parish, WCS PTO Leadership Council & PTO President Allendale Elementary & Bethesda Middle
Ken Peterson, PTO President Westwood Elementary School
Debbie Roth, WCS PTO Leadership Council & PTO President Woodland Middle & Ravenwood High School
Shelly Sassen, PTO President Centennial High School
These leaders issued a statement saying:
“We enthusiastically endorse Eric Welch for Re-Election to the Williamson County Schools Board of Education. Eric has a servant’s heart and has been a faithful volunteer in the WCS and Franklin Special School District for nearly two decades. We have witnessed his dedication to and advocacy for Williamson County Schools and all its stakeholders: students, staff, and supporters. He leads by example and that leadership is needed back on our Board of Education.”
Finally, the campaign announced the support of former school system leaders and education organization leaders including:
Dr. Michael Looney, Past WCS Superintendent of Schools and 2016 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Donna Wright, Past WCS Assistant Superintendent for Middle & High School Education and 2020 Tennessee Superintendent of the Year
Denise Goodwin, Past WCS Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education
Tim Gaddis, Past Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment
Leslie Holman Judd, Past Assistant Superintendent of Finance/CFO
Kevin Fortney, Past Director of Facilities and Construction
Dr. Alicia Spencer Barker
Robin Newman
Tim Stillings
Kevin Townsel, J.D
Matt Magallanes
Dr. Richard Ianelli
Eric Welch
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Williamson County parent group OneWillCo spoke out this week on the issue of book banning and giving authority the State Textbook Commission to ban books in public school libraries.
Here’s more from a press release:
In light of the state-wide polling that shows that Tennesseans are opposed to book bans, the co-founders of One WillCo, Revida Rahman and Jennifer Cortez, speak up about their ongoing work in Williamson County Schools. One WillCo works to support equity, representation, and safety in schools for students of all races and backgrounds.
“Just like the majority of Tennesseans, at One WillCo we believe that whatever our color or background, we want our children to have an education that tells the truth about our shared history,” said Revida Rahman, one of the founders of One WillCo. “Unfortunately, we are at a point where there is a loud minority of people who are trying to silence voices and ban books that tell the truth in an age-appropriate way. When I see leaders trying to censor the truth of our history, passing laws to ban learning from the mistakes of our past and to erase leaders–even those like Martin Luther King, Jr.–who stood up to racism and changed our country for the better, I am discouraged. But seeing the results of this polling and knowing the majority of Tennesseans agree with us that book bans are not the way to move forward, we are energized to continue to join together, speak up at school board meetings, and do the hard work of ensuring that every student, no matter their race, is able to feel safe in school and receive a high quality education that allows them to feel seen, heard, and represented.”
“From our work in Williamson County we know that the vast majority of parents and educators agree that our students need to learn the truth about our history so we can learn from the past and create a better future together,” said Jennifer Cortez, one of the founders of One WillCo. “And thanks to this polling, we know that the majority of Tennesseans across the state agree with us. Students miss out when we attempt to whitewash our history, or worse yet, to perpetuate myths about what has happened in our country surrounding race. Even many of our lawmakers lack a basic understanding of much of our nation’s history surrounding race; we were never taught it. Today’s students, and students of future generations deserve to know the whole story of our nation’s history, even the parts we wish we could erase. Only an honest education will prepare our children for the future, equip them with the knowledge they deserve, and help them better understand the lives, cultures and experiences of different people. Not only does this provide our children with a high quality education, it also creates an environment where students of all races feel represented and safe.”
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Williamson County School Board member Eric Welch provided an analysis of the agenda of Moms for Liberty on a Twitter thread recently. Then, he outlined the reality of the curriculum selection/textbook adoption process in Williamson County and highlighted an alternative text proposed by Moms for Liberty – all in a public meeting of the school board.
Here’s video of Welch discussing the manufactured controversy driven by parents who often don’t even have kids in public schools:
It seems that Laurie Cardoza-Moore is interested in becoming a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Heads up, Tennessee legislature followers: the next representative from House 63-@GlenCasada’s seat-could be @CardozaMoore. She’s the member of the Tennessee Textbook Commission and head of an organization once deemed a “hate group” by @splcenter.
That year, Moore’s group – Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN) raised just over $1 million.
What’d she do with the cash?
Well, she paid herself $130,000. Then, she paid her husband’s business $67,000. There was a business “office expense” for occupancy at just over $49,000. She runs PJTN from her home, so that means she’s paying her mortgage with the cash. That’s $200,000 in payments to Moore and her husband, and another 50,000 a year to cover their mortgage. Then, there’s another $26,000 paid to Moore as an “occupancy expense.” Oh, and there’s $41,000 on “meals and entertainment.” Finally, her two kids received a total of around $2000 from the organization for “contract labor” that year.
Peddling ignorance is quite profitable, it seems. After all, that’s just one year of her “thriving” business.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today renewed its call for Tennessee to drop consideration of anti-Muslim activist and possible 9/11 truther Laurie Cardoza-Moore to that state’s Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission. Cardoza-Moore leads the Franklin, Tenn., group Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN).
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The Williamson County school board voted unanimously to oppose Gov. Lee’s plan to allow charter schools to bypass local school boards and appeal directly to Lee’s state charter commission.
Students in Williamson County spoke out against censorship at a recent school board meeting. The move is likely preemptive as groups like Moms for Liberty seek to have books removed from school libraries and/or curriculum.
Make no mistake. These cuts are intentional. The forces of privatization are using all the tools to erode the teaching profession and set public schools up to fail. The nail in the coffin will likely be a new state funding formula that paves a path for a voucher scheme.
