Part 5: Progress
This week we have discussed some of the schools and the school systems in Williamson County. The key to keeping up with your student’s school is constant communication via websites, Facebook and newsletters.
The Williamson County School system is trying to make strides to improve their ability to promote better education with legislation they introduced into the Tennessee legislature this year.
The High Performing School Districts Flexibility Act would allow “a “high performing school district” to utilize an alternative teacher evaluation system and add educational days without first obtaining approval to do so and authorizes such a district to waive certain state board rules, regulations and statutes.” Dr. Mike Looney, WCS Superintendant, talked with us about the legislation so we could get a better understanding of what it means for our schools.
HB 0210/ SB0592 can be viewed online as well as any amendments submitted to it during its journey through the legislative process. The bill has been referred to the education committees in both houses for consideration. The document lists the requirements for a “High Performing School District” sets a three year term for renewal of that status and outlines the actions a district will be allowed to do without having to get approval from another body such as a county commission.
This legislation was co-written by Dr. Mike Looney and the Board of Education approved funds not to exceed $30,000 for lobbyists to help get the bill passed.
