March 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM - Williamson County School Board Meeting

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Board Member Angela Durham to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence.

Discussion:  The following fifteen Williamson County residents spoke during public comment. 
Karen Rayl spoke about registration and next year's goals.
Harmony Kennedy spoke about racism and bullying.
Jada Murriel spoke about racism and keeping the Fostering Healthy Solutions consultant past July.
Jessica Cordova spoke about next year and returning to normalcy with masks optional.
Sharon Blunt spoke about mask mandates.
April Xenos spoke about next year.
Rebekah Parker spoke about the protocols for the next school year.
Amanda White spoke about having a normal 21-22 school year with mask optional.
Shanera Williamson spoke about hiring a trained professional for diversity.
Kelli Hendry spoke about making mask optional and more tickets for graduation.  
Karin Hensely spoke about quarantine. 
Danielle McCoin spoke about the diversity team and flex days. 
Robin Steenman spoke about the adoption of diversity and inclusion.
Allison Anderson spoke about the mental and well-being of children.
Rachel Weaver spoke about mask optional, quarantine, and graduation.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett presented the agenda for approval.  Then, she called for a roll call vote.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett presented the Consent Agenda for approval.  Then, she called for a roll call vote.

Discussion:  Superintendent Golden thanked the School Board members for attending the meeting. He stated that we are in the fourth quarter of school. Golden said he is so impressed with the skills of the teachers and the effort of the students. Mr. Golden gave CDC updates to the school board. He also said that attendance for graduations and spring sports are being re-evaluated. He mentioned that temperature checks were no longer required to enter schools but may still be required for other events. He said "We will continue to follow the CDC and state health guidelines.  That includes this year and next year.  I'm optimistic about next year."
Superintendent Golden concluded with an update on the Fostering Healthy Solutions.  He re-emphasized that they are helping us to do a better job in making all our students feel safe in the environment at school. Golden said Fostering Healthy Solutions is not creating a curriculum for WCS. They are going to help us set goals and action steps to improve how we serve our students.

Discussion:  In Student Spotlights, the district honored more than 50 National Merit Finalists. Brentwood High's Patrick Baugh, Shilpa Chowbey, Joe Grundberg, Abby Jordan, Parker Kasiewicz, Tristan Kennedy, Julia Lee, Oakley Martin, Isabel Oldham, Kyle Overton, Michelle Qiu, Samuel Robble, Anna Sullivan, Emily VanSchaack, Steven Walter, Elise Wilkins and Ron Ye were all named Finalists.
Franklin High's Jason Amsler, Connor Beavon, William Foster, Eileen Hsu, Patrick Lama, Daniel Matin, Sara Naughton, Brandon Vaughan, Ella Whatley and Joy Yin were also named Finalists.
From Independence High, Joshua Cannon, Benjamin Dondanville, Amelia Prouse and Emma Sower earned the title. Page High's Halle Berg, Anika Kaushik, Logan Sava and Leigh Walters also were recognized.
Ravenwood High students Amy Herd, Christian West, Chris Ebrhim, William Fiechtl, Trisha Mazumdar, Eshani Mehta, Selina Wang, Emma Meyer, Ashlyn Harmon, Peter Salmon, Srihita Adabala and Aaron Wu were all named National Merit Finalists.
Centennial High's Jacob Williams, Nolensville High's Alex Tyki Jones, Summit High's Nevaeh Brinson and Fairview High's Ryan Kilgore also received the honor.
Several of the district's high school media programs stood out at the annual Tennessee High School Press Association (THSPA) awards. Brentwood High's WBHS 9 staff won the Mark Madison Best TV Station award. The Brentwood High WBHS 9 football crew won the Best Sports Coverage of a Live Event category. Brentwood High student Harrison McConnell won Best Sports Show, and Brentwood High student Chad Barker placed first for Best Sports Feature Story. Brentwood High also won Best Public Service Announcement for a video created by Alex Wells, Cami Roadman, Jack Wilson and Zach Kammer. Their teacher is Ronnie Adcock.
Franklin High's Christian Ward won Best Commercial at the THSPA Awards. His teacher is Keri Thompson.
Independence High's Harrison Kyle and Gabe Hall placed first for Best Commercial, and their classmates Bradley Hicks and Sam Wilde won Best Sports Video. Their teacher is Matt Balzer.
Fairview High wrestler Riley Bennett became the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) A-AA State Champion in the 145-pound weight class. He is coached by James Derrick.
 

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett reminded the School Board members about volunteering at the round 2 vaccine clinics. She also stated that March 29 is the Fostering Healthy Solutions session with the School Board. Garrett also reminded the Board about the dates of the TSBA fall conference. She reminded everyone that there are three ways for constituents to speak to School Board Members, email, phone calls, and public comment. 

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of the General Purpose School Fund Amendment 03.21 GPS Private School Grant Award in the amount of $5,000.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of the General Purpose School Fund in the amount of $412,119,851.
 

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of the Central Cafeteria Fund in the amount of $14,068,454.
 

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of the Extended School Program Fund in the amount of $4,939,16.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of the ePlan Esser II CARES Act Grant and Budget for FY2021.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of Board Policy 4.600 Report Cards and Grading Systems on first reading.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of Board Policy 5.104 Equal Opportunity Employment on first reading.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of Board Policy 5.200 Separation Practices for Tenured Teachers on first reading.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of Board Policy 5.201 Separation Practices for Non-Tenured Teachers on first reading.

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of High School Courses (Annual Agenda Item).

Discussion:  Madam Chair Garrett called on Superintendent Golden who recommended approval of Special Course Applications (Annual Agenda Item).

Discussion:  There being no further business, Madam Chair Garrett adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.