Welcome to Wilco 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. Questions and feedback are encouraged at civicbrew@gmail.com (mailto:civicbrew@gmail.com).
PART 3: Science Textbook Selection Follow Up with Public Records Included
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 ot...
26 Apr 2025
April Board Meeting Recap
🎙️ 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. ...
25 Mar 2025
PART 2: Science Textbook Selection Follow Up
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’...
22 Mar 2025
Board Vote on Science Curriculum
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 ...
22 Jan 2025
Call to Action: Tell Your Legislators to Vote No on Vouchers
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 eligibil...
6 Dec 2024
Special Called December Meeting: Revote to Ban Books
Willco Civic Brew host(s) discuss the Williamson County School Board's special meeting to potentially re-ban five books from school libraries, highlighting the importance of free access to literature.
20 Nov 2024
November Board Meeting Recap
Nancy Garrett and Jen Aprea from Williamson County Schools break down the key takeaways from recent board meetings, including funding clarity and public comment highlights.
8 Nov 2024
The NEW 2025 Voucher Bill Explained
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 Distric...
22 Oct 2024
WCS Board Vote to Rescind Resolution to Oppose Vouchers
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 representa...
18 Oct 2024
WCS Work Session Recap on Vouchers - Oct 17th Meeting
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 t...
17 Oct 2024
What's the Deal with Vouchers?
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 qualit...
5 Oct 2024
Countdown to Election 2024 – What's at Stake?
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 essen...
4 Oct 2024
Sept 16 WCS Board Meeting Recap
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 ...
4 Oct 2024
Welcome to Willco Civic Brew!
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 s...
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