In a social media post, local education advocacy group Williamson Strong raised concerns that the County Commission may be attempting to influence the outcome of the upcoming election and implored the Commission to not appoint anyone currently running for the vacant seat.
Local Democrats echoed that sentiment.
The agenda does not list any current nominees for the position.
In any case, the person selected to fill the vacancy will only hold it until September. That’s when the candidate who wins the August election for the seat will take over.
Is something strange happening? Or is the County Commission just fulfilling its required duty?
The move to expand vouchers is being pushed by Williamson County’s State Senator, Jack Johnson, and Gov. Bill Lee, a Williamson County native.
In a joint statement announcing their opposition, the candidates said:
We are united in opposing vouchers because we’re listening to our neighbors, members of our communities and parents of students in Williamson County who are overwhelmingly against using taxpayer dollars to fund private schools.
A committed community volunteer and parent of two children in Williamson County Schools is running for School Board from District 9.
Shandus Parish announced her candidacy for a seat on the education policy-making body this week.
As for why she’s running, Parish says, “Growing up, public school was my sanctuary—a refuge of safety and enrichment where I could thrive away from my challenging home life. For me, school was more than just a place to learn. It was a place where I had agency, where my income, background, and zip code didn’t matter. Now, as a parent, I want to ensure that every child in Williamson County has access to the same opportunities that shaped my life.”
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
For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport
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She takes a moment to talk about her race on Facebook. Here’s her post:
This article outlines what’s really going on in this year’s school board races: Well-funded special interests pushing unabated charter school growth and vouchers are trying to take down school board incumbents who won’t comply with their agenda to privatize schools. Why are they so interested in public education? There is much money to be made on the backs of our children.
At great personal cost, I have stood up against this effort for four years now. I’ve dealt with all sorts of lies and attempts to malign my character, because I’ve been a strong, effective voice against this agenda, which has nothing to do with educating children. Although it has taken a toll on my family, I am running again because it’s vitally important to prevent special interests from gaining control over the future of Nashville’s schools, and Dr. Joseph’s arrival on the scene marks a pivotal time of hope for our children, who deserve much more.
Remember that nasty push poll maligning me with false allegations? Stand for Children (which endorsed my opponent) paid $80,000 for polling this quarter alone. Stand for Children is also sending out numerous attack mailers on me. My personal favorite was their latest claiming that I don’t listen to parents, which is pretty comical given that I’m a public school parent myself who talks with other parents (and teachers) on a daily basis! Please don’t pay attention to these silly lies.
Here is what I’ve fought for (often successfully) over the last four years:
-evidence-based school policies
-less standardized testing
-whole child education that provides each child with a rich, broad curriculum that includes art, music, recess, and physical activity
-wraparound services for children in need
-high-quality pre-k
-individualized instruction and services for all students, including advanced and gifted learners, as well as those with special needs
(and much more!).
Over the last four years, I’ve watched the conversation about education (both locally and on a national level) turn toward this direction, and I’m proud that I’ve been even a small part of helping to change the conversation.
Regardless of what happens in this election, I will continue to use my voice to stand up for the best interests of our children. My involvement in this ongoing battle over our schools has absolutely nothing to do with politics and everything to do with standing up for what is right. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on Nashville’s children and will continue to speak up as long as I can make a difference.
Please be informed and go vote!
Here’s more on the article she references from the Nashville Scene and the spending in her race and others.
For more on education politics and policy in Tennessee, follow @TNEdReport
This morning, School Board Member Amy Frogge released a statement about Project Renaissance/Nashville Rise on her Facebook page in response to a video that was released by Phil Williams that reveals the funding behind the organizations. Phil Williams reports the Scarlett Foundation as a major funder for Project Renaissance.
Amy Frogge states in her Facebook post, “… we do know that the group is funded in part by the Scarlett Foundation, a pro-charter/voucher group that is tied to the Beacon Center and the American Legislative Exchange Council.”
Additionally, Amy Frogge, without any evidence whatsoever, threw out another baseless allegation that her opponent, Thom Druffel, was recruited by Project Renaissance.
First, Project Renaissance/Nashville Rise is a 501 c3 organization. By definition, they cannot contribute money on any election activities. They are only focusing on parent engagement, including hosting forums to get parents engaged. As a matter of fact, it was the parents of Nashville Rise that voted to do the forum, not Project Renaissance.
Amy Frogge, Will Pinkston, and Jill Speering are not attending this event. Don’t let Amy Frogge’s post make you think it was this Phil Williams report that caused them to drop out. These decisions were already made before this piece was released.
The Investigation
In fact, we see that this “investigation” by Phil Williams came at the request of Will Pinkston, to whom Phil Williams only referred to as “an unnamed board member” in his piece. Emails obtained by Tennessee Education Report show Will Pinkston added 13 members of the press to his emails with Nashville Rise on June 9th.
Before Pinkston decided to attend the event, he wanted Nashville Rise to answer a variety of questions, including, “Of those parents who are part of the coalition, how many are residents of my School Board District 7 and what schools do their children attend?”
I find it strange that Will Pinkston wants to know the specific schools parents send their children to. He is a representative of all District 7, not just parents who send their children to schools he approves of. Does Will Pinkston treat parents differently if they send their students to JT Moore, Valor, or Harpeth Hall? If so, he does not deserve to be an elected official.
When reached by Tennessee Education Report, Nashville Rise released the following statement:
“On May 10th, we invited all school board candidates on the August 2016 ballot to participate in a city-wide, parent-led forum. Our hope was to have all candidates in attendance, so that parents could engage with them and make informed decisions about the race. We gave candidates a deadline for notifying us of participation. That deadline was June 13th at noon. Prior to the deadline, every candidate with the exception of Will Pinkston had responded. Jill Speering, who initially RSVPd that she planned to participate, notified us prior to the deadline that she would now be out of town. Amy Frogge declined our invitation. All other candidates, with the exception of Mr. Pinkston, plan to participate.”
Slippery Slope
If school board candidates start down the path of not attending events because of the organization’s funding, they will not be able to attend any events by the organizations listed below.
In the same 990 that shows that the Scarlett Foundation gave $250,000 to Project Renaissance, it also shows that they gave to many other organizations including Metro Nashville Public Schools, Conexion Americas, Communities in Schools, and United Way for the Read to Succeed program.
That means Will Pinkston couldn’t hold another campaign kickoff event at Conexion Americas, Amy Frogge couldn’t attend an event about wrap around services through Communities in Schools, and Jill Speering couldn’t attend a Read to Succeed event.
Are these school board members ready to go down this slippery slope? Should people boycott all of these nonprofits? Pinkston himself has touted the incredible work of Conexion Americas, and rightfully so. Frogge has been one of the largest advocates of Communities in Schools, and rightfully so.
Will Pinkston says that these organizations below should “return the dirty money.” Is that really what we want? I hope not because returning money will hurt the students of Nashville.
As someone who has put together a mayoral forum in the past, the goal is to get a moderator who is a member of the press in order to maintain impartiality. That’s what Nashville Rise has done. In good faith, they got David Plazas to moderate. Plazas has experience moderating many forums in Nashville, including a few mayoral forums last year.
Scarlett Foundation Funders
While the Scarlett Foundation gives to plenty of charter schools, they also give to a wide variety of nonprofits in Nashville that are making a huge difference in the lives of students in Nashville.
Here are some organizations that have received funding:
Almost 70 students have received tuition scholarships from the Scarlett Foundation Metro Nashville Public Schools – $222,566 – Support program Conexion Americas -$100,000 – Support of Parents as Partners Programs in MNPS Oasis Center – $150,000 – Support for Nashville College Connection Big Brothers Big Sisters – $50,000 – Support Programs United Way of Middle Tennessee – $312,450 – Purchase Read to Succeed Program United Way of Middle Tennessee – $35,000 – Books for Imagination Library Book’em – $30,000 – Purchase new books for reading is fundamental programs Backfield in Motion – $35,000 – Support for educational supplies for tutoring program for boys ages 10-18 Girl Scouts – $15,000 – Support of college access and college tutor program Homework Hotline – $29,250 – Cost of middle school tutoring Junior Achievement – $30,000 – Support “company program” Martha O’Bryan Center – $80,000 – Thrive – Top Floor Zone Nashville Adult Literacy Council – $50,000 – Support drop-in learning center to help adults learn to read Pencil Foundation – $6,000 – Expansion of the reading partners program Preston Taylor Ministries – $10,000 – Support afters chool program Communities in Schools – $50,000 – Support for site directors at MNPS schools Nashville Public Library Foundation – $53,043 – Support full time reading specialist American Education Assistance Foundation – $125,000 – Support for Tennessee Promise Scholarship
There are other deserving organizations that do incredible work that are funded as well, but these are just a few. Like I said, charter schools in Nashville have been funded by this organization, but it’s not just an organization that gives only to charter schools. To me, it looks like an organization that cares about students. I love that we have a grant making organization that supports organizations in Middle Tennessee.
To discredit Nashville Rise because of their association with this generous foundation is unjustified from elected officials who say they are doing what’s best for students in Nashville.