Wilson County officials point to new schools and test gains as evidence of strong local schools

Wilson County leaders used a public forum to highlight investments and metrics they say show the school system is improving even as the county grows.

Mayor Randall Hutto told the audience the county has built 12 schools in 12 years and plans to open Central Pike Elementary in August; he said that move will eliminate portable classrooms at one campus. He also said construction will begin on a 14th school (Watertown Middle) if commissioners approve funding.

Hutto cited performance measures he said had improved year over year: reward schools increased from six to 15; letter-grade schools meeting state expectations rose from six to 13; TVAS growth-measure results rose from seven to 11; and the district has produced three superintendent-of-the-year winners in the last decade. He also said teacher pay rose about 19% in recent years and that the district added step raises in the last five years.

Joanie Cochran, who identified herself as a candidate for state senate, praised teachers and said the state needs to release more funding for teacher pay and smaller class sizes. "We believe they are working miracles with more with fewer resources every day," Cochran said.

Hutto also noted scholarships and dual-enrollment outcomes: he said roughly $62 million in scholarships were offered to the class of 2025 and that 37 students earned an associate degree alongside a high-school diploma this year.

The forum included table questions and audience comments on staffing and class sizes; there were no formal votes during the meeting.