Willco Civic Brew

In this episode, we construct a timeline of Board Member emails and actions related to the controversial Science Textbook vote by reviewing legally obtained emails, and find out that

The ex-officio board member on the committee was actually informed of the meetings more than the one time that was claimedThe Board praised the efforts of the Textbook Committee at one meeting, but then began to point out "process improvements" at the 11th hourThere was no public mention of selecting textbooks other than what the committee recommended until March 17, the night of the Board vote, even though consideration was...

🎙️ WillCo Civic Brew – Monthly Meeting Recap (April Edition)

This month’s school board meeting may have been quieter, but it packed a punch with key decisions and policy updates you need to know about.

🗣️ Public Comment Highlights:
17 commenters weighed in—most supporting the Science Textbook Committee’s recommendations and pushing for a Board revote. A notable data point? Between March 1 and April 4, the district received 171 emails about science textbooks, with 86% urging reconsideration.

📘 AP Psychology Textbook Approved:
Unanimous support for the BFW Myers textbook, originally questioned by Board member Donna...

In this episode, we discuss the statements put out by board members which have received hundreds of comments from members of the community and address some of the common themes we are seeing based on our experiences as former board members and volunteers who have served on curriculum selection committees in the past.

Resources:

School Board Emails:

Click on this page, then scroll to the bottom for the “Email All Board Members” bar

School Board Members - Williamson County Schools

Jason Golden’s Email:

jasong@wcs.edu

A...

In this episode, we recap the discussion from both the March 6, 2025 Board Work Session and the March 17, 2025 Board Meeting around the Science Curriculum Selection. We highlight quotes from the meetings and discuss the why behind the board's vote to reject the recommendation of the committee and select the least popular option instead.

Show notes:

School Board Emails:

Click on this page, then scroll to the bottom for the “Email All Board Members” bar

School Board Members - Williamson County Schools

Jason Golden’s Email:

jasong@wcs.edu

S...

In this episode of WillCo Civic Brew, we unpack the upcoming special session on Tennessee’s school voucher program. Governor Lee has tied vouchers to disaster relief funding, raising questions about transparency and urgency. Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea dig into the implications for public education, share key details of the voucher legislation, and highlight the lack of clarity among legislators regarding the program's structure.

From understanding the financial thresholds for voucher eligibility to the concerning impact on public school funding, we outline the challenges and risks posed by this legislation. If you missed it, revisit Episode 4 fo...

In this episode, we dive into the Williamson County School Board's special called meeting happening on Monday, December 9th, at 6:00 PM. This special session will revisit the potential removal of five books from the Williamson County School Libraries:

Where the Crawdads Sing (high school only)Speak (middle and high school only)Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (high school only)The Perks of Being a Wallflower (high school only)The Field Guide to the North American Teenager (high school only)

We break down the policy and processes behind book challenges, the implications of the State's passing of the...

WillCo Civic Brew: November WCS Board Meeting Recap
In this episode, Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea break down the highlights from recent Williamson County Schools board meetings, including the work session and the monthly voting meeting. Key topics include:

Funding Clarity: Addressing a listener question about state voucher funding ($7K) versus Williamson County public school funding from the state ($4K).Public Comment Highlights: Discussions around vouchers, art teacher supplements, and an organized push for extended recess.5-Year Capital Plan Approval: A look at the annual capital planning process, including...

Dive into our latest episode of Willco Civic Brew as we unravel the complexities of the newly filed TN voucher bill. What does it mean for our public schools and your family? Tune in now to get informed!

Some Clarifications/Corrections:

Gina Bulso Lawsuit: We clarify that Gina Bulso is not suing the district for financial damages, but there was a line in the complaint asking for costs/expenses related to lawsuit. Lawsuit details are public record. Suit is with the WCS Board, not the WCS District.August 2024 Election Correction:...

In this episode of WillCo Civic Brew, we recap a recent board meeting that sparked significant debate in the community when our newly elected WCS board took unprecedented action and rescinded the resolution against vouchers from the last legislative session. We discuss some of the more interesting parts of that discussion and what this means for our local schools.

Join us as we explore the implications of these actions and the importance of being engaged, especially since only state representatives can vote on voucher legislation.

Finally, we highlight key candidates for upcoming state and congressional...

In this episode of WillCo Civic Brew, we dive into the October 17 school board work session, specifically the discussion focused on the proposal to rescind the anti-voucher resolution passed in March 2024. New board member Dennis Driggers (District 3), who is backed by pro-voucher organizations, argued for the change, stating that the current board is significantly different, with five of seven original board members who voted in favor of the resolution no longer serving. He emphasized that the previous resolution was premature and called for a neutral stance until the new voucher legislation is finalized.

Join us...

In Episode 4 of WillCo Civic Brew, hosts Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea tackle the ongoing conversation around school vouchers and their potential impact on public education in Williamson County, Tennessee.

With upcoming elections and state legislative decisions looming, they discuss the history of vouchers in Tennessee, from early debates to the current push for universal vouchers. Drawing on personal experiences and state-level data, Nancy and Jen unpack why vouchers pose a threat to the quality of public schools and explore how they could deepen educational inequality. They also highlight ways to take action by contacting local school...

Welcome to Episode 3 of Wilco Civic Brew: "Countdown to Election 2024 – What's at Stake?" an important discussion about the intricacies of the upcoming elections with your hosts, Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea. This episode unravels the surprisingly low voter turnout in Williamson County and explores what's on the ballot this November. From local to federal elections, understand why each vote is crucial and how simple misunderstandings can deter voters. Our hosts will guide you through the essentials of voting, the significance of staying informed, and provide a detailed action plan to ensure you're ready to vote confidently. Tune in to tr...

Welcome back to Wilco Civic Brew! In this episode, hosts Nancy Garrett and Jennifer Aprea dive into the latest school board meeting, breaking down the actions taken and discussing how the community can get involved. They provide an in-depth explanation of the school board's monthly and ad hoc meetings, spotlighting the importance of the work sessions and their role in shaping board decisions while following their established format of educate, understand, and act.

The episode further explores significant developments, such as the election of new board chair and vice chair, and discusses public comments from the meeting...

Welcome to Willco Civic Brew, a podcast blending community voices to educate, understand, and act on local issues, especially those related to public education in Williamson County. Hosted by former school board members Nancy Garrett and Jennifer Aprea, this podcast serves as a platform for dispelling misinformation and advocating for public education. Each episode dives into school board meeting recaps, interviews with key figures, and explores the intricate challenges and victories in our schools. Join us in making informed decisions and engaging in our community. We'd love to hear from you! Send us your questions at civicbrew@gmail.com.<...