On June 24, Williamson County Schools (WCS) staff and families were surprised to learn that their superintendent of seven years would step down in 45 days.¶
Jason Golden had accepted a position with the Franklin Special District as the Associate Director of Finance, Administration, and Legal Services. Six days later, Dr. Leigh Webb was announced as Golden’s interim replacement during a school board special meeting, when board members agreed to an early contract termination, moving Golden’s last day to July 15.¶
Webb’s Background
Webb is just over a month into her tenure, but she is anything but a newbie, with 28 years of experience in public education. She grew up in West Tennessee and has been a teacher, athletic director, and an assistant principal at her alma mater, Henry County High School in Paris, Tennessee.¶
“Like a lot of people who move to Williamson County, my husband and I came here to raise a family and be part of a great school system where our entire family could grow in education,” Webb said. “I taught English at Franklin High School when we moved here in 2004.”¶
From there, she became the assistant principal at Ravenwood High School before being named the principal at Centennial High School in 2013. For the past nine years, she has held two WCS positions: assistant superintendent of human resources and assistant superintendent of secondary schools.¶
Why Webb Joined WCS
Webb said she has stayed with Williamson County Schools for nearly a decade because of the people.¶
“Every time I have visited a WCS school, regardless of the role I've served in, I've seen passionate educators, dedicated staff, supportive families, and students who are ready to be challenged,” Webb said. “The people in Williamson County Schools are what make this district exceptional, and I have felt that strength from my first interview here in 2004.”¶
Webb credits the district’s successes to a shared commitment to supporting students and providing meaningful opportunities for them to learn and thrive. She also said WCS’s model of building upon what is already working and making marked improvements every year excites her about the district’s future.¶
Webb’s First Year
The biggest challenge Webb believes the district faces right now is also something she is excited to take on: implementing the new WCS Technology Use Guidance. To some, the name may sound like jargon, but the implications are real, and district parents have strong opinions¶
The work began in 2025 when the district brought together teachers, administrators, staff, and board members to form a committee to decide what technology should be used in classrooms. After a year of deliberations, it provided what she called “clear guidance to help educators use technology intentionally, appropriately, and responsibly” for learning purposes.¶
“What excites me most is that this initiative reinforces that nothing replaces great teaching and strong relationships between students and teachers,” Webb said. “Technology is a great tool, but only when it enhances great teaching, not when it replaces it.”¶
She also addressed district enrollment dropping in recent years, saying she believed a few factors contributed, including cost of living increases in the area and the increasing popularity of homeschooling.¶
Webb also pointed toward a silver lining in enrollment drops.¶
“After growing at such a fast pace for so many years, a slight drop in enrollment has actually helped the district to catch up in terms of staffing,” Webb said. “Our current fill rate is 97 percent for certified staff.”¶
Future Plans
Webb’s interim superintendent contract runs through October 5th. The district is currently conducting a search for a permanent superintendent, and Firefly staff asked her whether she’d be interested in accepting the position if offered to her.¶
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve a community I truly love, where we built our lives, raised our family, and where I've had the chance to lead and grow,” Webb said. “It is a responsibility that I do not take lightly, and if given the chance, I would consider it an honor to continue serving our community in the role of superintendent.”¶
Webb says the main focus of her first year as superintendent is to support students and foster the environment WCS has taken pride in cultivating. She cited three focus points: powering teacher progress, ensuring every student has the opportunities, support, and challenges they need to succeed, and fueling relationships built on learning and safety.¶
“Our district mission statement reminds us that we don't just teach subjects; we teach students,” Webb said. “They are at the center of everything we do.”¶
