Williamson County School Board To Consider Limiting Citizen Engagement (Op-Ed)
Image Credit: Williamson County Schools
By Steve Hickey –
We have seen on the news and indeed in our own schools here in Williamson County, an alarming influx of highly questionable material in school curricula and libraries. Sadly, the Williamson County School Board is contemplating a policy change at this Monday’s school board meeting (October 24th, 6PM, 1761 W. Main St, Franklin) that would limit the ability to lodge formal complaints to only current parents of Williamson County School students. What this would mean is grandparents, educators, and other concerned Williamson County residents would lose the ability to meaningfully engage about objectionable material in the taxpayer funded public schools.
There are two sections of the Williamson County Schools Policy Manual that are affected: 4-401 & 4-403. The linked video shows a recent WCS Board working session where board members discussed the merits of this proposal to limit formal complaints (scroll to the 2:58 time stamp for beginning of discussion). Note: two WCS Board members have expressed concerns with this policy proposal and lay out cogent arguments for why the board should not proceed with this course of action. Also note that state law does NOT require the board to take this action to limit citizen engagement.
We are asking Williamson County citizens to contact their school board representative before October 24th and request the members articulate their stance on this issue. Further, we encourage citizens to recommend their school board members reject this policy proposal and maintain citizen participation in their funded school system. As taxpayers, and more importantly as concerned residents of Williamson County, our voices matter. You may email all school board members HERE.
Thomas Jefferson stated “reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.” Citizen engagement is imperative to ensure our schools remain strong and vibrant institutions here in Williamson County.
Hmmm…the same thing is happening with the Hamilton County school board! Do I detect a trend here?!
WCS has expressed concern in the past about any policies that open it up to a lawsuit! But, with this action, they seem to be ready to go to court…….so, if, as a county taxpayer, If I am not able to address my grievance with a decision this school board is making on any particular subject matter, it seems to me the board is violating the constitutional rights of a taxpayer…..so as they say, “Lawyer up”!
Does this mean that tax payers can opt out of paying Williamson County school taxes?
Time for them to go to a land far, far away. Disneyland seems like a good place, they can replace Micky Mouse
Of course they want to so they can further their agenda behind closed doors or only invite YES men hacks to the meetings. Time to throw those Left wing idiots out of office.
You get the government you deserve
😁😁😁😁
10/24/22 Comments to BoE on amendments proposed to policy 4.401 regarding complaints
RECONSIDERATION OF BOARD APPROVED TEXTBOOKS, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
If a complaint is filed A complaint about Board approved textbooks, instructional materials and supplementary instructional materials “may only be made by a current WCS parent/guardian, employee, or student. regarding Board approved textbooks, instructional materials and supplementary instructional materials.”
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This proposal strikes me as profoundly wrong in many dimensions… simple equity, accountable governance & policy.
It insulates & isolates the Board, Administration & teachers from important feedback.
It excludes many parties of valid interest.
It reflects a continuing propensity to a more closed form of governance when in fact all parties would be better served by the opposite. We have learned nothing from the turbulence of last year.
The proposal in simple form: “only parents of current students have standing in the quality of education”
That is obviously flawed. None would agree with that, yet here the policy response is “we take away your voice, your right to participate.” And why? For administrative ease? Unaccountable autonomy? Inability to manage the process? You don’t want to hear it, so you shut it down.
Who in the county would have no standing, who would be excluded?
Grandparents of students.
Relatives of students
Parents of young children not yet in school.
Parents of recent graduates.
Alumni
Parents who would send their children to public school, but do not because of concerns over quality of education, curricula & governance.
Including many homeschoolers & those who send their kids to private schools
Retired teachers & administrators of this system … including prior members of this very Board.
Lastly, many of the very people who fund the school system. Current & long term homeowners, business owners & employers in the county, you know, the taxpayers who fund your entire budget…
The proposal eliminates the rights & privileges of a whole host of parties at legitimate interest. It arrogates bureaucratic control and limits forms of important public participation.
hb