What Wilson County Records and Tennessee Law Actually Say
Wilson County has a school board vacancy, and people are using it as a political tug of war. That is backwards. Schools exist for students, not for party scoreboards. If we are going to persuade our neighbors, we should do it with facts, not with spin.
Some of what is being shared online about school boards, taxes, and partisan elections is simply false. Spreading false claims to steer people emotionally is dishonest, and it is a disservice to families who are trying to make good decisions for our children.
Here is what the public record shows.
The vacancy process is about representation, not party ownership
Wilson County government has published the process for filling the vacant school board seat, and it is clear that the County Commission will appoint someone to serve until the public votes. The county notice also states, in plain language, that qualified candidates may apply regardless of political affiliation. In other words, this is not legally treated as a party seat that must be handed back to a party. It is a public seat meant to represent students and families in that zone.
If we want the strongest schools, the healthiest approach is to evaluate applicants by qualifications, temperament, and ability to govern, not by the letter next to their name.
School boards matter, but they do not control everything people claim they control
It is true that a school board has serious influence over school operations, policies, and what materials are used in classrooms. But two common claims being circulated are not accurate.
First, local school boards do not set Tennessee academic standards. Tennessee requires districts to provide a curriculum that meets or exceeds the academic standards adopted by the State Board of Education. Local boards and districts implement those standards and choose instructional materials within state rules, but they are not writing statewide standards from scratch.
Second, local school boards do not set county tax rates. In Tennessee, the county legislative body, meaning the County Commission, is the body that levies taxes. School boards build and approve an education budget request, but the tax levy is not theirs to set. Saying otherwise misleads taxpayers about who actually controls the rate.
Wilson County taxes: a flat rate is not the same thing as “the school board prevented tax increases”
The adopted Wilson County budget sets the county property tax rate at $1.9089 per $100 of assessed value. That number is in the county’s official budget document, not in anyone’s talking points.
Also in that same adopted budget, the General Purpose School Fund is budgeted at $225,809,374, with $135,451,208 budgeted for instruction. Those are the kinds of figures that actually matter for class sizes, staffing, services, and student support.
Here is the key honesty check. Even when the tax rate is flat, tax bills and total collections can still rise with reassessments, rising property values, and growth. And legally, the body that holds the pen on the tax rate is the County Commission, not the school board.
How Tennessee school board elections became partisan, and who drove it
For generations, many Tennessee school board elections were run as nonpartisan contests in the practical sense that candidates did not run with party labels on the ballot. That meant voters often focused more on experience, character, and competence than on party branding.
That changed in 2021. Tennessee passed Public Chapter 1 in the Third Extraordinary Session of 2021, and it created a legal pathway for partisan school board elections. This was not some kumbaya moment where both parties “came together” to offer candidates a friendly option. It was a state law change pushed through a legislature dominated by Republicans and signed by the Republican governor.
The mechanics matter, too. Tennessee law allows school board elections to be conducted on a partisan basis, and it allows a county party primary board to opt in. Reporting at the time highlighted that one party could trigger the shift even if the other party objected, which is exactly the kind of structural change that predictably increases polarization.
So yes, politics touches education because government touches education. But it is also fair, and historically accurate, to say Tennessee recently turned the temperature up by injecting party machinery more directly into school board elections.
Student outcomes should be the North Star
If someone wants to argue that a certain approach is working, the proof should not be vibes or slogans. The proof should be student outcomes and responsible stewardship.
Tennessee’s official State Report Card is designed for exactly this purpose. It includes district and school performance measures such as achievement, growth, graduation rate, readiness, discipline, and more. That is where families should look when they want to judge how well the system is serving students.
A kids first way to talk about this vacancy
The closing message Wilson County needs is simple and it should be said plainly.
Do not contact your County Commissioner and ask them to appoint a Republican or a Democrat.
Contact your County Commissioner and ask them to appoint the best person to support our children.
Ask for someone who will focus on literacy, math, safety, teacher support, special education, career readiness, and transparent budgeting. Ask for someone who can disagree without turning board meetings into a reality show. Ask for someone who understands what the school board actually controls, and what it does not.
Our kids deserve adults who tell the truth, read the law, follow the money, and keep the mission sacred.
My Story: Built by Family, Shaped by Service, Focused on the Future
When I think about policy, budgets, or growth, I am not thinking in abstract numbers. I am thinking about real households, real commutes, real classrooms, and real neighborhoods.
I am Aaron Wilson. I am a husband, a father, a lifelong learner, and yes, the tech guy who believes government should work the way people expect it to work. Clearly, honestly, and in service of the community it exists to support.
My professional life has been spent fixing systems, managing limited resources, and making sure the right work gets done the right way. That mindset does not stop at the office door. It shapes how I think about public service, leadership, and the future of Wilson County.
This campaign is not about noise or ideology. It is about people. It is about trust. And it is about doing the work with clarity and integrity.
Built by Family and Responsibility
Before I am anything else, I am a family man. My wife and children ground me. They keep my priorities straight and my decisions human. When I think about policy, budgets, or growth, I am not thinking in abstract numbers. I am thinking about real households, real commutes, real classrooms, and real neighborhoods.
Strong communities do not appear by accident. They are built through consistency, accountability, and leadership that remembers who it serves. That belief is at the heart of why I am running.
You can learn more about my background and personal journey on the Meet Aaron page, where I share how my experiences as a husband, father, and IT leader shaped my decision to step forward and serve.
A Career of Fixing What Matters
I have built my career around problem solving. In technology, excuses do not fix broken systems. Clear thinking does. Planning does. Ownership does.
Government should operate the same way.
People deserve public services that are reliable, efficient, and respectful of their time and tax dollars. That means making decisions based on evidence, not ego. It means asking hard questions early, not after mistakes become expensive. It also means being willing to say no when something does not serve the public good.
My approach is practical because reality demands it. Budgets are not infinite. Growth must be managed responsibly. Transparency is not optional. It is foundational.
Why I Am Running
I am running because I believe Wilson County deserves leadership that puts people first and treats public trust as sacred.
This is not about tearing anything down. It is about strengthening what already works and fixing what does not. It is about growth that is smart, fair, and grounded in common sense. It is about respecting our rural roots while preparing responsibly for the future.
On the Why page of my website, I talk openly about the values driving this campaign and the responsibility that comes with asking for your vote. Leadership is not about being seen. It is about being accountable.
The Issues That Matter Most
Every issue comes back to people. Safety. Infrastructure. Responsible development. Fiscal stewardship. Transparency. These are not partisan concepts. They are community necessities.
I believe in people first governance that listens before it decides. I believe in smarter budgets that stretch tax dollars instead of wasting them. I believe in supporting public safety while also planning for long term emergency readiness. I believe growth should benefit the whole county, not just a few interests.
You can explore my full platform on the Issues page, where each priority is explained with clarity and intention. These are not slogans. They are commitments.
A Steady Hand for a Changing County
Wilson County is growing. Growth brings opportunity, but it also brings responsibility. The wrong decisions made quickly can cost communities for decades. The right decisions made thoughtfully can strengthen them for generations.
I am offering steady leadership rooted in experience, guided by ethics, and focused on service. Not flashy. Not loud. Just honest work done with purpose.
This campaign is about building a county that works for everyone. One decision at a time. One conversation at a time. One act of trust at a time.
Did You Know: The Numbers Tell a Different Story in Wilson County
Wilson County is thriving. Growth is booming. Everything is moving in the right direction. That sounds good. But here is the uncomfortable truth. When you look past the headlines and into the data, the story gets a lot more complicated.
The growing narrative is that Wilson County is thriving. Growth is booming. Everything is moving in the right direction. That sounds good. But here is the uncomfortable truth. When you look past the headlines and into the data, the story gets a lot more complicated.
Start with jobs. Thousands of Wilson County residents still leave the county every single day to earn a paycheck. Long commutes are not a lifestyle choice for most families. They are a sign that local job growth is not keeping up with the people who live here. Time spent on the road is time away from kids, church, and community. Progress that forces people to leave home to survive is not the kind of progress we should be celebrating.
Now look at housing. Home prices and rents in Wilson County have risen fast, far faster than wages for working families. Teachers, deputies, nurses, and county employees are being priced out of the very community they serve. Growth that benefits investors but burdens residents is not success. It is displacement wearing a smile.
Then there is construction. Building permits have slowed from recent highs, even as prices remain high. That means fewer new homes coming online while demand keeps climbing. Less supply plus higher prices equals fewer options for everyday people. That is basic math, not political spin.
Here is the point. Wilson County has potential. Real potential. But potential only matters if it improves daily life for the people who already call this place home. Leadership is not about celebrating statistics that look good on paper. It is about confronting the ones that do not and fixing them.
We can build a Wilson County where people can work close to home, afford to live here, and feel the benefits of growth instead of the pressure of it. That requires honesty, accountability, and leadership willing to tell the whole truth even when it is uncomfortable.
That is the future worth fighting for.
Sources
Wilson County Economic Development Doing Business. Wilson Works Workforce Initiative.
Interactive Map AI Housing Data. Wilson County Tennessee Housing Market Overview.
Wilson County Tennessee Real Estate Overview.
New Private Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits Wilson County Tennessee.
Did You Know is a bite sized blog series that highlights surprising data and the real stories behind the numbers. Clear facts, real context, and zero nonsense because data should inform decisions, not collect dust.
Past the Talking Points: Protecting Those Who Protect Us
Doing more with less is not a strategy. It is a warning sign. When firefighters and emergency responders are stretched thinner to meet growing demands, the cost does not disappear. It shifts into fatigue, deferred training, aging equipment, and increased risk on scene. What may look efficient on paper often becomes dangerous in practice. Responders adapt because they care, not because the system is working. When sacrifice replaces planning, leadership is no longer managing public safety, it is borrowing against the health and safety of the people doing the work.
The Human Cost of Public Safety and Our Responsibility to Act
Doing more with less is not a strategy. It is a warning sign. When firefighters and emergency responders are stretched thinner to meet growing demands, the cost does not disappear. It shifts into fatigue, deferred training, aging equipment, and increased risk on scene. What may look efficient on paper often becomes dangerous in practice. Responders adapt because they care, not because the system is working. When sacrifice replaces planning, leadership is no longer managing public safety, it is borrowing against the health and safety of the people doing the work.
Public safety is often discussed in terms of response times, budgets, and equipment. Those details matter, but they are not the full story. Behind every emergency call in Wilson County is a firefighter or emergency responder who carries both the immediate risk of the moment and the cumulative weight of a demanding profession. Public safety has a human cost, and responsible leadership begins by acknowledging it honestly.
Firefighters and emergency responders in Wilson County are being asked to do more as the county grows and emergencies become more complex. Increased development, higher call volumes, and evolving risks mean that responders are operating under constant pressure. Local firefighters have raised concerns about staffing levels, noting that some county stations operate with limited personnel, creating situations where responders must work harder and take on additional risk to meet community needs. These are not abstract concerns. They affect safety on scene and the long term health of the people doing the work.
The physical demands of emergency response are relentless. Firefighters routinely enter extreme environments involving heat, smoke, hazardous materials, and unstable structures. Over time, repeated exposure to these conditions places significant strain on the body. Injuries, chronic health issues, and long term physical wear are not anomalies. They are inherent risks of the profession.
Equally significant is the mental and emotional toll. Emergency responders witness trauma, loss, and human suffering as a routine part of their work. They are expected to remain composed, decisive, and ready for the next call, often without time to process what they have just experienced. Research on first responders shows that repeated exposure to traumatic events can contribute to post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption. These effects do not stay on the job. They follow responders home, impacting family life and overall well being.
Staffing shortages and resource constraints intensify these pressures. When departments are understaffed, individual responders shoulder heavier workloads, work longer hours, and face greater fatigue. In Wilson County, staffing challenges have led to creative but imperfect solutions, including the recruitment of uncertified firefighters who must be trained while already filling critical roles. While innovation in hiring is sometimes necessary, it underscores the need for thoughtful planning, adequate support, and strong training pipelines so responders are not placed in unsafe or unsustainable situations.
Beyond the physical and operational challenges lies a quieter but equally important issue. Many firefighters and emergency responders feel disconnected from the decisions that directly affect their safety and effectiveness. When budgets and policies are shaped without meaningful input from those on the front lines, it erodes trust and contributes to burnout. Public safety cannot be managed solely from spreadsheets or meeting rooms. It must be informed by lived experience.
My position is that leadership has a responsibility not only to fund public safety, but to understand it. That means recognizing physical and mental health as essential components of readiness, not personal issues to be managed privately. It means planning for adequate staffing levels, investing in modern training, and ensuring equipment is reliable and up to date. It also means listening to firefighters and emergency responders as professionals whose insight is critical to sound decision making.
The human cost of public safety is real and ongoing. Addressing it requires leadership that is willing to move beyond symbolic support and take concrete action. Wilson County deserves a public safety system that protects the community without sacrificing the health and well being of the people who serve it. Meeting that responsibility is not optional. It is the duty of those entrusted with leadership.
References
Firefighter staffing concerns in Wilson County
Hiring and staffing challenges within Wilson County emergency services
Don’t Just Register Vote Why Every Ballot Matters in Wilson County District 20
In local elections registering to vote is only half the battle actually showing up to cast your ballot is what makes democracy work
In local elections registering to vote is only half the battle actually showing up to cast your ballot is what makes democracy work. Nowhere is this more evident than in Wilson County’s District 20. This district saw extraordinarily low turnout in a recent election and the results demonstrate how a few votes or the lack of them can shape our community’s future. Below we break down what happened why it matters and how you can take action to ensure your voice is heard.
When Only 10 Percent Vote 3 Votes Decide the Election
In the August 4 2022 County Commission District 20 race only 215 individuals voted. That represents just 10.62 percent of the district’s registered voters. The current county commissioner was elected with only 109 votes which equals 5.38 percent of registered voters in the district. The election was decided by a margin of just 3 votes.
Three people determined who would represent the entire district.
That fact alone should stop all of us in our tracks.
When turnout is this low decisions that affect taxes roads schools zoning public safety and growth are made by a fraction of the community. Nearly 90 percent of registered voters in District 20 did not participate. That silence has consequences.
District 20 Has the Fewest Registered Voters in Wilson County
Wilson County is divided into multiple County Commission districts each designed to represent roughly the same number of residents. While exact population numbers fluctuate districts are generally structured to include between 16000 and 18000 residents per district based on census data and state redistricting requirements.
Despite this similar population structure District 20 currently has the lowest number of registered voters in the entire county.
Most Wilson County districts have between 3500 and 4500 active registered voters. District 20 has roughly 2000 active registered voters according to the most recent data from the Wilson County Election Commission.
That means District 20 is not smaller in population but it is significantly underrepresented in voter participation. Fewer registered voters combined with extremely low turnout creates a situation where the district’s voice is disproportionately quiet compared to other parts of the county.
This is not because District 20 matters less. It is because participation has been low for too long.
The Hidden Consequences of Low Voter Turnout and Apathy
Low voter turnout does not just affect who wins an election. It shapes how resources are allocated and how seriously a community is taken.
Elected officials pay attention to participation. Areas with consistent turnout signal engagement accountability and political return on investment. Areas with chronic apathy often do not.
When a district rarely votes officials may conclude that investing time money and effort there offers little political benefit. Over time this can lead to real world consequences such as delayed road maintenance fewer sidewalk improvements and limited attention to drainage and infrastructure issues.
Recreational investments are also affected. Parks walking trails playground upgrades and community facilities are more likely to be prioritized in areas where residents consistently show up and advocate through the ballot box.
Even long term planning decisions such as zoning infrastructure expansion and economic development can bypass low participation districts simply because there is little visible political pressure to act.
This is not always intentional or malicious. It is often a quiet unintended outcome of how representative systems function. Participation signals priority. Silence signals indifference even when that is not the case.
District 20 deserves better than to be overlooked.
Wilson County Context A Widespread Turnout Problem
District 20’s turnout problem exists within a larger countywide pattern. Wilson County currently has over 111000 registered voters. In the same August 2022 election only 17548 voters countywide cast a ballot which is just 17.48 percent of eligible voters.
Local elections shape everyday life more directly than national ones yet they consistently see the lowest turnout. When participation is this low representation becomes distorted and accountability weakens.
The solution is not complicated but it does require intention. Registering is necessary but voting is essential.
Register to Vote
If you are not registered to vote use this link to get registered online. It only takes a few minutes and ensures you are eligible to vote in upcoming elections.
Check Your Registration Status
Already registered Take a moment to verify your voter registration status and confirm that your name address and precinct information are correct.
Check Your Registration Status
Find Your District
Knowing your district helps you understand who represents you and which races will appear on your ballot. Use this link to find your County Commission district and other local districts.
Upcoming Voting and Election Dates
Voting works best when you are prepared. Stay informed about early voting absentee deadlines and Election Day so you do not miss your opportunity to participate.
Wilson County Election Information
Get Involved Strengthen the Process
Voting is the foundation but civic engagement does not end there. You can encourage others to register share accurate information and participate in community discussions.
You can also help ensure a fair and competitive election in District 20 by signing my petition to be added to the ballot. Signing the petition does not obligate you to vote for me. It simply ensures that voters have a real choice and that Wilson County benefits from a healthy electoral process.
Democracy works best when participation is high competition is real and every voice is welcomed.