Elected Officials Take a Look Inside WCS

Published October 31, 2014

Several members of the Williamson County School Board and Williamson County Commission got a look inside some Williamson County schools on Wednesday, October 29. They spent the day learning about school and school district operations, meeting with teachers and administrators and hearing from students.

“We had a great day of getting to know each other and observing the great things that are happening in our schools every day,” said Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney.

After boarding a school bus at the Central Office, the group started the day at Brentwood Middle School where they learned about and witnessed middle school learners. They then traveled to Centennial High where they visited classrooms, went through the lunch line and heard from a student panel. Students challenged the elected officials to come to school events so they could get to know them.

After meeting with staff and visiting classrooms at Oak View Elementary, the group headed to Summit High. At Summit, they toured the district’s newest high school and spent a great deal of time in the engineering classroom learning about the 3-D printer and watching students problem solve.

“The tour gave us a broad perspective of many things going on throughout WCS, most importantly good examples of how well our teachers interact with their students and run their classrooms,” said School Board Member Rick Wimberly. “It helped us see how important it is for us (School Board and County Commission members) to support our teachers and administrators’ good work.”

School Board Vice-Chairman Dr. Beth Burgos and School Board Member Candace Emerson talk with Summit High students about engineering.

Board Member Ken Peterson described the day as exceptional. “The principals and vice principals were exceptional in their enthusiasm for the school they lead, the team they have and the work they do. The teachers were exceptional in their instruction, their passion for children and their pursuit of growth for every student,” said Peterson. “The students were exceptional in their behavior, their focus, and their desire to learn, and I was proud to be associated with everyone we had the pleasure of meeting and observing.” Peterson said he was also impressed by the excellent food prepared in the Summit High Culinary Kitchen by teacher Marsha Johnson and her culinary arts students who presented a Halloween themed afternoon snack spread for the attendees.

School Board Vice Chairman Beth Burgos agrees.

“I was amazed at the high quality culinary program Summit High School has achieved in just the few short years they have been open,” said Burgos. “The trip reaffirmed my commitment to our teachers and staff who so obviously love what they do and are doing such a wonderful job, not only teaching our children, but also providing a happy and healthy learning environment.”