FRANKLIN, Tenn. - A parents group in Williamson County said enough votes can silence divisions being created by school board candidates. Despite it being the highest achieving district in the state, the non-partisan election has become very heated.

NewsChannel 5 asked unsuspecting parents in downtown Franklin if they're paying attention to the school board race.

“Probably not like I should,” one said.

“We're just…still trying to figure out the best daycare situation pre-school and all that stuff,” another added about why she’s not engaged.

“No, I've seen some of it online how they're slinging mud, thick mud,” another mother added.

That concerns parents group Williamson Strong, who are encouraging parents to get out and vote.

“I don't think people recognize that some of the candidates are running on an agenda that is a little more political that it typically would be,” Williamson Strong spokesperson Jim Cheney said. “And I think people need to be educated about it and they need to vote.”

The noise surrounding the race is reaching a fevered pitch. It includes allegations about secret emails sent to numerous candidates outlining plans to oust current Director of Schools Dr. Mike Looney.

For some voters, “The lack of information sometimes makes it hard to go and make an educated decision on who we're going to vote for.”

While Cheney said scrutiny is necessary even for the high performing district, he said the tone surrounding this election is problematic.

“If you've got an opinion express it,” Cheney said. “But don't use it as a wedge to make the system splinter.”

Cheney said if not addressed at the polls, it will result in changes to the school system so many support.