The Williamson County School Board met for its monthly meeting on April 17, 2023 at 6:30pm.
The meeting lasted around 90 minutes.
KC Haugh was absent from the meeting.
Public Comment
There were 8 speakers for public comment, most wearing One Willco shirts.
As is typical these past few months, all of these speakers were asking the board to allow porn in the libraries. It really is amazing that adult bookstores are required by T.C.A. §§ 7-51-1101 to be at least 1,000 feet away from any school or daycare yet now we are just including them in the school library itself and ignoring that law. Not to mention the new Age-Appropriate materials act of 2022.
One parent went so far to say that if we ban books, it could increase student suicides. Others just kept mentioning that most of the students are seeing and reading much worse content on their phones so what does it matter?
Old Business
After much heated discussion, the board voted (9-3) to delay the decision again on the five pornographic books until June. The reason given was that the legislature just approved changes to the Age-Appropriate Materials Act and these changes give the board more specific guidelines. Even the board attorney, Robert Cook mentioned that this was a good idea given the legislative changes. Mr Welch, Mr Mitchell and Mr Wimberly voted against the delay.
New Business
The board passed a new conflict of interest, code of ethics, library materials and dress code policy for first reading so they will now go back to the policy committee for any final tweaks.
It was highlighted that the changes in the library materials policy was regarding how parents would be notified when a book is challenged, regardless of the boards decision.
The board thanked the administration that the new dress code policy is gender neutral. And Mr Mitchell asked that the administration monitor this new policy once it takes effect and notify the board if females are still called out more than males. The new policy essentially says any student, male or female can wear as little clothing as they wish, as long as their genitals are covered.
The May board meeting will be held at 6:30pm on Monday, May 15th.
