NEWPORT-The Cocke County Board of Education elected Randy Shults chair and Dr. Ken Johnson chair pro-tem for 2008-09 Thursday evening.

All board members were present.

In other business, the board approved all tentative budgets to be sent to the county finance committee. Director Manney Moore explained the budgets include raises for teachers which were negotiated three years ago and a two-percent raise for non-certified personnel. Teachers will also receive a bonus, which the state requires.

"These raises are not enough, but we're in tough times," Moore said.

He explained increased fuel and parts costs required the transportation budget to be increased $100,000. He explained the school system's fund balance has decreased, which could cause difficulties in the event of an emergency.

In other business, the board heard from Teresa Dolittle regarding a request for Karen Wilson to read to second through fifth grade students at Parrottsville School and to make available her book, "The Trophy, a Wolf Story" for students wishing to purchase it.

"My problem is not with the book or its content; my problem is with someone being able to use school property to benefit special interest groups and lobbyists in Washington," she said. It had been said proceeds from book sales would go to various organizations and non-profit groups.

Johnson made a motion the request be tabled until the book could be read by board members.

Board member Otha Rolen pointed out, "You cannot use school property for personal gain."

Upon further discussion, Moore explained the board would have to approve the visit before the author would be allowed to present the program at the school.

Several items were approved on the consent agenda, including the use of school grounds by various groups, school fundraising activities, and personnel matters.

The board approved a request for a Barracuda message archiver from PCS, Inc., for $13,447 with funds provided through Federal E-Rate technology funds.

Donnie Frazier explained for the school system to comply with federal requirements, all emails that go in and out of the school system must be archived. He said the messages are usually kept for a year and become legal documents.

The purchase of $22,012.50 worth of playground equipment and rubber surface from Kidz Zone for the special needs playground at Northwest School was approved. Funds will be provided through school funds and state BEP.

Also approved was the request to purchase three Promethean Boards for Del Rio from PCS with a cost of $2,864 each for a total of $8,592 with an additional cost of $600 to Munn Electrical for wiring. Funds from Title I allocation with bids on file.

Approved the purchase of one Promethean Board from PCS for Northwest School for $2,864 with funds to come from pooled BEP, supply, Title I carryover, and equipment funds.

Board members approved the differentiated pay plan for the school system for the 2008-09 school year. Frazier explained this was the bonus for teachers, and is required. He said the plan must be in Nashville by Oct. 1.

Also, the board approved the purchase of 40 site licenses for My Reading Coach from Unique Solutions at $2,000 each. Funds are from 2007-08 carryover Title I funds. The software will be used throughout the schools for reading intervention.

A bid for $25,965 from Cocke County Glass for awnings at Bridgeport, Edgemont, and Centerview schools was accepted.

The board rejected a bid from Goddard Enterprises, Inc., for gutters at Cocke County High School. Moore explained the company was the only one to submit bids, but gave two choices with a $20,000 difference and he was not sure about the differences.

Moore suggested the bid be rejected until there could be a meeting with the company to learn about the differences in guttering offered.

Curriculum Supervisor Kathy Holt explained graduation rates for Cocke County and Cosby high schools will not meet benchmark. She explained CCHS will miss benchmark by two-percent and CHS will miss benchmark by four-percent. She explained GED and special education diplomas do not count toward  attaining the benchmark.

The board increased mileage costs for field trips from $1.75 and $2.25 to $2 and $2.50.

In other business, the board voted to start meeting at various schools, and with the request of Richard Coggins, will meet in October at Del Rio School. The meeting is set for Oct. 9.