The Franklin Special School District Board of Education approved a local adoption of science textbooks and approved a first reading of a grading-scale policy revision at its April meeting.

The board voted to accept the administration's recommendation for local adoption of science textbooks that appear on the Tennessee-approved list. The board also approved on first reading a revision to policy 4.205 (enrollment in advanced courses) to reflect grading-scale language cited as TCA 49-6-407 and Williamson County Board of Education policy 4.6; the board voted to approve the first reading and to waive the second reading.

Why it matters: Textbook adoptions and grading-policy updates set curriculum and course eligibility standards used across district classrooms and affect teaching materials and student records.

The administration presented the recommended textbook titles by grade level and said the titles are on the Tennessee-approved list. Board members noted the adoption followed a review process they described as extensive: one speaker said the textbook committee included more than 50 participants and represented “approximately around 900 or more hours of expertise.” The board thanked district staff who coordinated the selection process, including Dr. Carlton for organizing committee work.

Board members moved both actions and voted. For the textbook adoption, the meeting record shows Board member Mr. Townsville made the motion and Board member Miss Barker seconded. A roll-call vote recorded Mr. Stillings, Miss Parker, Mr. Blair, Mr. Council and Miss Newman as voting yes; the motion was approved. For the policy revision (first reading) a board member moved to approve and waive second reading, another board member seconded, and the board approved the motion; the meeting record does not show a roll-call by name for that vote.

The board also approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda earlier in the session; those motions passed by voice vote with no recorded roll-call in the transcript.

Details and next steps: The policy revision references TCA 49-6-407 (Tennessee Code Annotated) and Williamson County Board of Education policy 4.6 (report cards and grading system) for the grading-scale language. The textbook adoption will be implemented under standard district procedures for local-adopted instructional materials. The policy revision was approved on first reading; per the board's motion the second reading was waived, making the first-reading approval the board action reflected in the minutes.

Votes at a glance:
- Science textbook local adoption — Motion: accept administration recommendation; Mover: Mr. Townsville (Board member); Second: Miss Barker (Board member); Roll-call recorded: Stillings — yes; Parker — yes; Blair — yes; Council — yes; Newman — yes; Outcome: approved.
- Policy 4.205 (enrollment in advanced courses) — Motion: approve first reading and waive second; Mover: Board member (unnamed in transcript); Second: Board member (unnamed in transcript); Outcome: approved (voice vote; no roll-call recorded).
- Approval of meeting agenda — Motion: yes; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Approval of consent agenda — Motion: yes; Outcome: approved (voice vote).

The board's superintendent, Dr. David Snowden, presented the items and answered clarifying questions about committee participation and the reference authorities.

(Reported from the Franklin SSD board meeting.)