Thread by @WilliamsonStrg

We're back! Part 2 of the WCSB meeting begins now: consent agenda approved. Next up is Superintendent's report, hands things over to Golden....

notes County Commission approved the mid-year pay raise, thanks Board for the work they did to make that happen as it's unprecedented.

The raise funded by an increase in sales tax revenue, so this was a community effort that made this pay raise possible.

Working on next month's budget presentation to the Board, including a draft pay chart that's under discussions with @WceaTeachers leadership.

Work session discussion re: teacher survey to collect data points from them. It's been a tough couple years nationally, and issues cover the gamut. Working on getting objective data on how we serve them as they serve our students.

"We are proud of the work we do." Excited we have 71 national merit finalists this year, exceeding highest number ever by 19 this year (that's a ridiculously high jump.)

Our favorite human being, Carol Birdsong, is now up to recognize students including the national merit winners! 4th consecutive year WCS has had more than 50. "This starts in elementary and those teachers build that foundation."

Back to Golden, thanks those who spoke at public comment. Board Chair report time, Nancy Garrett (D12) says TN election guides are coming out for Board members this week. Commends public comment participation and listening as well.

Mentions if you're a Tier 3 volunteer, there's a place for you to volunteer and issues challenge again to Board members to get out there and serve some lunch, etc. Community help is needed.

On to new business - budget approvals. Short version is that it's getting more expensive to build schools, pulling out of contingency funds. You can find all budget requests linked in the agenda: meeting.boeconnect.net/Public/Agenda/…

this pretty much taps out contingency funds, so any more overages is going to require going back to County Commission for additional funding. Market prices are leading to the unbudgeted increases.

Next budget item is the Titans donation to support the girls' flag football at all high schools this spring.

2022-23 family tuition rate is now up for approval, including the employee rate for teachers/staff who live out of the county to let their kids attend @WCSedu. This is always highly controversial as we "bill" teachers for this when many other districts don't.

Next up is annual school fees - they're "request for funds", not really fees. In @WCSedu we CHARGE FAMILIES FEES (voluntary) for classes! to make up the budget gaps! and our lack of funding!

Galbreath will make his annual objection to this (as he admits) - and we agree wholeheartedly.

Haugh asks question if schools can require additional above activity fees - e.g. there's a $250 activity fee (dance/cheer) plus asks them to pay an additional $100, that's not within our standards. That's not appropriate under state law.

Lots of good discussion on these fees. The community may finally be waking up to how completely BS it is that the wealthiest district in the state requires parents to pay for what other districts cover from taxpayer revenue.

Mitchell (D3) would like to see it codified in an SOP, etc. about how this is handled - Golden says it's included in an annual training, etc. All to make sure families who can't afford these fees aren't made to feel differently, etc. MAYBE JUST ELIMINATED UNNECESSARY FEES?!

Brown (D4) says we're nickle and diming parents with these fees. this is literally the one issue every single person can agree on yet nothing ever changes because the County Commission repeatedly slashes WCS budget requests and it's bare bones/survival mode.

e.g. "greatly reduced" budget request wcs.edu/Page/5954

Golden: there have been times when the Board has asked to discuss finding additional revenue sources. If we eliminate a revenue source, that will mean a reduction in expense requests.

The budget cuts have gone back years: williamsonherald.com/gallery/budget…

Golden: "we couldn't do what we do without parent support." The Parent Tax is funding @WCSedu and people who don't send their kids there are whining about them being equal stakeholders? Sure, on paper. But not in reality.

Garrett: "Wishes school fees weren't required, but it's fiscally conservative that people who participate in those schools pay the burden and don't place it on other taxpayers." 😐

Welch (D10) chimes in: "We do not have the money to eliminate these fees so we put this on PTOs." He notes he, Garrett, and Durham all served on PTO Boards and that it all has to be made up elsewhere. "We are not a money flush school district."

"TN is 46th in the nation on what it funds in public education, and we're in the bottom half of the state when it comes to funding."

Galbreath clarifies that his issue are with academic fees. Thinks the net total raised would be raised if parents didn't feel they were nickel and dimed and just asked for a one time PTO donation.

Now up: policy change for out-of-zone requests that changes the request deadline to April 15th instead of May 15th due to a new state law that includes a lottery system once maximum seats available have been reached.

There's pending legislation on this, recommending approval now but a change may be coming depending on what happens with the state. 2nd reading has been waived per Board policy.

Next up: policy change on school facilities naming, which has traditionally caused some tension. Policy change allows naming committee to rank the names, instead of just giving the Board a list of finalists to choose from.

as Garrett confirms, there is shockingly no discussion on that policy vote. (those in the know in the room lol)