Thread by @WilliamsonStrg

#WCSB meeting is beginning...follow us here for live tweeting. 🧵

ladies and gentlemen, we have a working livestream WITH audio! it's a September miracle!

Superintendent Jason Golden reminds us that this is the month when a new Board Chair is elected. He runs the meeting until that agenda item happens. All 12 members are present.

All staff members are wearing a mask. This hasn't happened in prior months.

oops, spoke too soon...audio is going in and out. Board chair election is next up on the agenda.

First Board member to receive 7 or more votes will be Chair for the year.

Opens up the floor for nominations. Rick Wimberly nominates Nancy Garrett. No other nominations. Floor is closed, voting is happening...Dan Cash is the only member to vote no.

District 12 member Nancy Garrett is once again WCSB Board Chair. Seating arrangements now being changed to reflect the new Chair.

For those inquiring, it appears all Board members are wearing masks in the meeting, following CDC recommendations, except Angela Durham, Dan Cash, Jay Galbreath, Sheila Cleveland, and Candy Emerson.

Chair Nancy Garrett thanks the Board. "Been through a difficult year, but no matter how difficult, our students, families, school and district employees...it's still worth it to serve everybody." Opens nominations for Vice Chair.

Last year's Vice Chair was D11 member, K.C. Haugh. The Vice Chair also serves as the policy committee chair. Haugh is nominated by Eric Welch. Dan Cash is nominated by Candy Emerson.

Votes taken for Haugh, who receives 9 votes so that ends it as it's the first person to receive 7 votes. KC Haugh is once again Vice Chair of #wcsb.

His first request is for someone else to take on public commenting timekeeper duties. :)

Public comment is up next. 29 speakers signed up, who will all get 1 minute each. Garrett is reading the rules, such as residents get first priority to speak.

"Business decorum is expected from all attending the meeting. No speaking or clapping, disrupting individuals will be asked to leave at first instance and will be escorted out by the deputy."

1st speaker: Stephanie Graham (we apologize in advance for misspelling anyone's names.) "I know my daughter is divinely made." Is speaking out against the hatred coming from @Moms4LibertyWC adults towards LGBTQ+ students. "Your children are listening."

Shelby Rollins: Points out the hypocrisy of staff recommending masks last meeting but weren't even wearing them that night. She calls out Jen Aprea, Chair reminds them not to call out specific people.

Rollins..."all mandates say that I don't get to choose but the ruling class does." Says 70% of students chose not to mask themselves. Says they'll all vote again at the polls.

Brian Russell, talking about sexual grooming. "what happened last friday is very uncalled for." Referencing the Independence HS homecoming float. Says he is in no way homophobic. Calls it grooming: predatory process that gains trust with intent to be sexually abusive.

Says there was french kissing on a float in front of young children. (readers: he is incorrect as every person in attendance can confirm.)

Patty Kantar: leading children in wrong direction leads to a heavy penalty including to God someday. Reads a Bible passage. Marxism. CRT. Pornography in school libraries.

Jenny Halterman: mandating masks violates parents rights. District been negligent on quality education - cites "Unwind" book in 9th grade. Leftist, biased articles in AP Lang (?) b/c of content in textbook.

Reads from "the hate you give" which was assigned in 9th grade.

Melissa Harris: I was raised not allowed to watch Ellen after she came out. Speaks in support of gay teens. It's not a culture war. We all want happy, healthy kids.

Ava Martin: Junior at Independence HS, been in Williamson all her life. Implores Board to extend the mask mandate, to think of the most vulnerable students. Many find it a violation of their rights, but I say it's a greater violation to ignore those who need us to help them.

Jay Ragsdale: Grew up in WCS, then got masters in social work. Did FCA, meet at the pole, etc. Groups like that are essential, just like GSA (gay straight alliance) groups are essential for them to feel safe and connected. So important to have a group to connect.

Heather Bottoms: on the Board of Franklin chapter of PFLAG who's mission is education, support & advocacy. Mom of 3 WCS children, 2 of them are members of LGBTQ community. Heard too many stories of children who are treated horribly when they come out, that's when PFLAG steps in.

...we know they're bullied and discriminated against more often than their straight peers. We need the GSA.

Brett Craig: "I'm a dad for liberty." Let's keep issues of identity etc. out of the classroom and let parents make decisions for when their kids are exposed to them. That sort of display should not happen in front of kids - hetero too.

Dr. Maya Neely: pediatrician and mother. Covid transmission remains high in our community. The opt out policy is in direct odds with an effective mitigation strategy. It's our responsibility to protect one another. Requests mandate with only medical exemptions.

...also stands as an ally to LGBTQ community, so they can get support to grow into their unique selves.

Angela Deyoung: representing 2 children in WCS high schools, who are honor students, marching band, varsity sports that all are things that bring people to our community. When they see peers not wearing masks, there's a mental impact my children are facing.

John Attard: Lost niece yesterday when she took her own life due to depression. Says data shows masks do not work, which Board has dismissed. Will hold them all individually accountable and are all on notice.

James Lucente from Choice Wilco, has son in kindergarten. All of you said you wouldn't use your position for partisan gain (Code of Ethics.) So many mitigation strategies in place, you can't tell which one is working. Remove the mask mandate.

Nick Cabianco: member of Centennial HS gay straight alliance,which has done wonders for me. There are dozens of us students here. Being LGBTQ here can feel like a death sentence. We need a safe place to go, we don't all feel supported at home.

...club has helped build our community. Should be able to exist without the judgement of our peers.

Doug Liklighter: father of 3 WCS students and parent of a gay family, here to strongly encourage board to support GSA groups to support our children, as many of them navigate sensitive times. Suicide attempts are 5x higher in this group of children, GSA provides critical lifeline

...GSAs have existed across the country for over 30 years. Also please extend the mask mandate as it's keeping kids in school.

Reverand Dawn Bennett - pastor at The Table in Nashville. 1996-2012 was a WillCo resident, all 3 children in WCS their entire way through. There was no GSA back then, but there were LGBTQ students. They need support from the community and schools.

...Nashville has a GSA in every single high school. Clubs provide support, not just for students but for faculty.

Spencer Lizst: sophomore at Independence HS, founder of the GSA that many are here talking about. Calls out @Moms4LibertyWC posting on social media denouncing their club for their HoCo float. Indy Pride is a club. I wasn't going to come b/c was afraid for my own safety...

...but am here for those who can't speak for themselves. So many who can't come out safely to their parents. Indy Pride is needed.

(no matter the topic, MAJOR kudos to HS students who are speaking up.)

Mia is here also from Indy Pride, here to denounce the rumors. Speaking for every student who has to go home and be afraid because they are who they are. Lucky to have a parent who appreciates and loves her no matter what, but can't imagine what others students go through.

...having a community at school is so important, has many friends who fear for their safety. and this is the one place they feel safe.

Kate Graham: senior at Centennial, and attends GSA at school to feel supported and be a part of a community. Group also includes straight students who support us. GSA is a safe place. I'm a Mormon and they haven't always been the most welcoming to people like me.

Cory Martin: supports the extension of the mask mandate, with only medical exemptions. Also deeply upset that neighbors have disparaged my daughter because they want to go viral. Please protect my daughter's health and that of her classmates.

Robin Steenman (@Moms4LibertyWC leader and private school parent): "It's not about LGBTQ rights or GSA clubs. It's about what's appropriate in the school environment, the sexualization of our children....the enforcement of a student code of conduct."

...failure of leadership which begins at the top. Indy HS has same leadership vacuum. Just teach our children reading, writing, and math.

Matt Hill: am a product of WCS. FHS graduate. Says Go Admirals! Say that because things change. Being gay is not like covid - you cannot catch it. 90% of 12 year old boys are going home and watching porn, especially the church kids. Don't argue against reality.

Justin Kanew: had one of the worst outbreaks in the county. hope you're going to extend the mask mandate even if it's mostly symbolic due to @GovBillLee overreaching opt out executive order. Doesn't liberty extend to those who love who they want to love?

....had to watch that video 3 times to catch the quick peck of a kiss, and if it was a boy and a girl no one would have said a word.

Jeff Price - Spring Hill. heard from daughter about parade. young children shouldn't have that forced upon them. I respect everyone, have lots of gay friends 😐 but parents should be notified "that is going on." Also end mask mandate.

Jen Baker: Moms for Liberty shirt. SF mayor was violating her mask mandate by partying at a club. Cites Emmys. They have the choice, so parents and students. (pretty sure all those people were fully vaccinated, unlike our students.)

Gina Camillo: local author. Here to support Franklin Pride, PFLAG, and LGBTQ community. Here for the kids to support, show love, and fight for them to be able to be themselves. Reads a poem she wrote called Rainbow Connection.

Mars Griffin: Ravenwood HS student, member of GSA. Have seen the way our club is treated by students, calling students slurs in the hallway. Adults are making the same arguments that the bullies use, that are widely accepted by homophobic groups. Ask Board members and parents...

...shoot time cut out and we'll never know! :(

Amy Stephens: wasn't planning on speaking. time to get back to the basics within education: math, science, language, reading.

AND that ends public comment! Garrett thanks and commends audience members for treating each other respectfully. 10 minute break for anyone who wants to leave.