WCS Superintendent Jason Golden resigning, taking job with FSSD

Williamson County Schools Superintendent Jason Golden will resign effective Aug. 7, just days after his contract was extended by one year.

Golden, who has served as superintendent since 2019, announced his resignation in a letter to the Williamson County School Board on Tuesday, adding that he accepted a job with Franklin Special Schools District as its Associate Director for Finance, Administration and Legal Services.

“The nature and timing of this opportunity is such that it’s the best decision for me and my family,” Golden wrote in part.

Golden has worked with WCS since 2006 and previously served as General Counsel, Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Superintendent.

The exact next steps in finding a successor is unclear at this time, but the board is expected to discuss the topic during its regularly scheduled June 29 meeting.

“This role requires someone who can provide strategic counsel, manage complex systems, and build trust across departments and schools. Jason Golden has proven he can do all of these," FSD Director of Schools Dr. David Snowden told the Williamson Scene. "Above all, he understands that every operational decision in a school district ultimately connects back to students. Whether the work involves finance, facilities, transportation, safety, human resources, or legal services, the purpose is always to support teaching, learning, and student success. Jason is a quality leader, and even more importantly, an exceptional person.”

Just last week, the WCS board approved a one-year contract extension for Golden as part of their June 15 meeting. 

But that 9-2-1 vote, and the related debate, highlighted some of the challenges facing Golden, especially with the significant pending change to the WCS board, as Chairman Josh Brown (4th District) and members Jay Galbreath (6th District) Eric Welch (10th District) and Drason Beasley (12th District) are all not running for re-election. Beasley is instead running as a Republican for one of the two District 12 Williamson County Commission seats.

During that WCS meeting, 5th District Board member Margie Johnson introduced a motion to defer the vote on Golden’s contract extension until September, arguing that the contract extension should be voted on by the new school board after the Aug. 6 election, and not by the current board.

“I believe that the incoming board members should have an opportunity to have input on this decision, because they'll be serving beside him for the next three years,” Johnson said.

Chairman Brown called it “an incredibly ill-advised motion,” while Galbreath called it a "disingenuous request” and directly criticized Johnson’s motion and her motivations, arguing that they simply want to see Golden removed from the superintendent position, something he elaborated more in a June 22 social media post.

“You've given us an opportunity that we can not have to say ‘we want to fire Jason,’ but we can essentially just go ahead and start that process now, is what you're saying,” Galbreath charged. “That's exactly what you're saying — I mean, you don't have to say it out loud, I know you don't want to say it, but that's what you're saying, and so no, I think it's disrespectful to the work that we've done. Everybody here has had at least two years with which to evaluate Jason. I think we owe it to him to tell him. I think one year is fair. I think it's not tying the new board's hands.”

District 2 member Dan Cash acknowledged his at times conflicting positions with Golden, but praised his efforts and successes, including the district’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center and Fairview High School’s mechatronics program.

“I'm not the sharpest driving knife in the drawer, but I'll tell you something, a lot of folks that are voting tonight don't know enough about what goes on in Williamson County, and what it's taken to make this county the top school in the state,” Cash said.

“Stop looking at one or two items and say, ‘Well, I don't think he did a good enough job on this, and not think about the people he's got to bring into this in and out of the school system to make things work. I've had my ups and downs with Mr. Golden over the years, but it’s business. I didn't get my way a lot of times, sometimes I did. That's the way it works, but this is the most well-oiled school system in the state of Tennessee.”

The motion failed 9-2-1, with Johnson and 1st District member Tony Bostic voting to defer the vote on the contract extension, while 8th District member Donna Clements abstained.

The vote to extend Golden’s contract shook out with the same 9-2-1 vote, with Johnson and Bostic voting against the contract extension and Clements abstaining. 

Board members react

The Williamson Scene reached out to all of the WCS Board members with a request for comment, and this story will be updated as comments become available.

Claire Reeves (9th District):

“Superintendent Golden has served Williamson County Schools for many years, first as general counsel and then as superintendent since 2019. I appreciate his commitment to our students, teachers, and families and wish him well in his next chapter.

“Transitions create opportunities, and the Board’s responsibility is clear - honor the strong foundation that has been built while selecting a leader who will guide Williamson County Schools into its next chapter.

“We will work thoughtfully and efficiently through the superintendent search process while ensuring continuity of leadership. I have tremendous confidence in the dedicated professionals across WCS who serve our children every day, and I know they will help make this a smooth transition,” Reeves said in a statement.

Eric Welch (10th District): 

“The toxic elements and individuals that refused to support our Superintendent, despite leading the district to the highest academic achievement and growth scores in the state, now own whatever comes next,” Welch said in part in a social media post. 

Jay Galbreath (6th District): 

“While I was surprised by Jason Golden’s decision, I respect his choice and wish him and his family the very best.

“As I conclude my final months of service on the Board after twelve years, my focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition and positioning Williamson County Schools for continued success. The district’s strength has always been its students, teachers, staff, families, and community. Those strengths will continue to serve the district well as the Board begins the process of selecting its next superintendent.

“I remain confident that Williamson County Schools is well positioned for continued success in the years ahead,” Galbreath said in a statement.

Chairman Josh Brown (4th District):

"Mr. Golden’s tenure as Superintendent has been marked by significant successes, gains and new opportunities for students across our district. The results speak for themselves. I’m grateful for the honorable way in which Jason has represented the district throughout this community and beyond. While his resignation is certainly a loss for WCS, I’m grateful for the legacy of excellence he is leaving behind," Brown said in a statement.

Tonja Hibma (11th District):

"First, I want to express my gratitude to Superintendent Golden for his years of service in Williamson County Schools and steady guidance over our district.  Leading a high-performing district through years of unprecedented growth is a massive undertaking, and his impact will be felt for years to come.

"Fortunately, our district is in a very stable operational position. Due in no small part to the impact of Superintendent Golden's leadership. Because our schools, staff, and foundations are strong, this transition doesn't catch us unprepared.  Instead, it gives us a rare, proactive opportunity. As a member of the school board, my focus moving forward is to ensure our search process is rigorous, transparent, and aimed at finding a leader who will champion educational excellence and a long-term academic vision for our students. 

"Williamson County Schools has a well-earned reputation for excellence, and our primary focus remains exactly where it should be ensuring that our students, teachers, and staff have the stable, world-class environment they need to thrive. We are stepping into this next chapter with complete confidence In our community and a clear vision for keeping WCS at the forefront of public education," Hibma said in a statement.

Margie Johnson (5th District):

"I was surprised when I received the email to learn of Superintendent Golden's resignation. I want to express my sincere gratitude for his years of dedicated service and leadership to Williamson County Schools. Throughout his tenure, he has worked to support our students, staff, and families, and his contributions have helped shape the district's continued success.

"I also respect the courage it takes to make a decision that is best for oneself and one's family. I wish Mr. Golden and his family nothing but the best as they begin this next chapter.

"As we move forward, I have complete confidence in the outstanding educators, administrators, and staff of Williamson County Schools. Our district has a long history of excellence, and I am confident that the upcoming school year will begin smoothly and continue to provide students with the high-quality educational experience our community expects.

"Looking ahead, I believe there is a bright future for Williamson County Schools. The selection of our next superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Education, and I look forward to a process that includes meaningful community input. By engaging parents, staff, students, and community members, we can identify a leader who will build upon our strengths and help guide WCS into its next chapter of success."