NEWPORT-Cocke County Board of Education members will vote tonight to name either Donnie Frazier or Manney Moore Cocke County's new Director of Schools to replace retiring Director Larry B. Blazer.

After meeting with Moore and candidate Paul Cogburn in a called meeting Tuesday evening in Cocke County High School's library, board members quickly voted for their top two choices of the remaining four candidates.

Prior to the announcement of Frazier and Moore as the top recipients, board chairman Pat Proffitt addressed the small number of people in the audience. "We have had four wonderful, dedicated people before us, whose whole lives are dedicated to this county. A lot of work has gone into this. Every one of these people are [sic] winners."

Blazer then read the results of the balloting. Frazier received 6 votes, Moore, 5, Holt, 3, and Cogburn, 1.

Earlier the board conducted final interviews with Cogburn and Moore, allocating each applicant one hour during which members asked the men the same questions posed to Holt and Frazier during their Monday evening session.

In reference to the growing demand on teachers' time to complete paperwork, Cogburn pointed out that there are "different kinds of paperwork: state required and work such as grading papers."

Cogburn said, "I can't do anything about the state required paperwork, but I think there's plenty I could do concerning other kinds of demands."

Cogburn suggested that when grading papers, teachers stop at "50" when taking off points for errors.  "It's up to teachers how much paperwork they want to do," he said.

Regarding the paperwork required of teachers by Central Office personnel, Cogburn replied, "There's not much I can do."

Moore pointed to new programs in place at Cosby Elementary School, where he currently serves as principal. "What I've done at Cosby Elementary, I'm fairly proud of. One of my goals was to provide time for teachers to look over IEP's, grades, and medical reports, for example."

Moore said that the school had "put together a science lab for grades 6-8. Every other week, teachers have one hour of planning time while their students are in the lab," said Moore.

He said that the school also has a math lab for "supplemental work" as well as a reading specialist. "There are things we can do in all schools to take the stress off teachers, but not exactly the same things will work in all schools," Moore added.

In response to Pat Proffitt's question regarding students he called "lost" and "not engaged in education" being "dumped" into vocational school classes, Cogburn stated, "Our schools have the equipment, skills, and technology to succeed. The vocational school should not be a dumping ground."

He continued, "The state says students must go to school until they are 18. We want students to feel welcome. We must find other ways to handle students who are not engaged."

Cogburn told members, "Thus far 435 students have been suspended from Cocke County schools at least once this year."

Before these students are allowed to return to classes, Cogburn continued, "The principals should sit down with the parents and students and explain to them how the students can come back to school."

In his response to this question, Moore said that the principals and guidance counselors of the two high schools "need to be involved to make sure this [dumping] doesn't happen."

Both Cogburn and Moore readily promised to devote whatever extra hours are needed to the job of director.

"You'll see my Jeep at the Central Office between 6:30 and 7:30 each morning and as late as 6-7:30 each evening. When I was principal at Smoky Mountain, I was there until every bus finished its route each evening, so that there would be someone on the other end of the phone. For the past four years, I've attended nearly every board meeting. My family knows what to expect. I look forward to the challenge," Cogburn said.

Moore told board members, "I talked with my family, prayed with them, before applying for this job. I work pretty hard already. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. Anyone who has ever coached knows about long hours away from family."

When asked if he could handle the criticism he would receive as director, Cogburn answered, "I don't and still don't mind criticism a parent who comes to my office and cusses me. When I was at Smoky, parents could do that and get it off their chest. As long as they left the teachers alone to teach. With three sisters and one brother, I've had plenty of criticism."

Again Moore pointed to his coaching history, saying, "During my coaching days, when we went to the state tournament four years in a row, I got used to criticism. When I first became a principal, I used to look at the phone each evening to see who had called. But I've grown thick skin."

Both Cogburn and Moore promised board members to come to them first and discuss the movement of personnel within the system, and both promised members to consult with them before hiring personnel in their districts.

When asked by board member Otha Rolen about their retirement plans, Cogburn and Moore had different answers.

Cogburn said, "That's a double-edged sword. Would you sign a contract with me for four years? I'd love to work a minimum of four years. I'm in no hurry to leave."

Moore stated, "I can't retire. I'll be willing to work as long as you would have me."

Both Cogburn and Moore told members they hope retiring director Blazer will continue to work part-time to help them in a transitional period.

Board member Jerry Ramsey asked the candidates to describe their management styles.

Cogburn replied, "I'm more of a leader. I tell people to work with me to see what we can do. But regardless, I can be the boss. I don't run roughshod or say, 'My say-so is my say-so.'"

Moore told members there are three levels of decisions.

"There's the type of decision where everybody can vote, there's the type of decision which requires a leadership team, and there's the decision where you are the only person who can decide. I'm pretty easy to work for, but sometimes there's just the level when I have to be the one to decide. You can delegate jobs, but you can't delegate responsibility. In the end, the responsibility will be mine. You have to know you are the bottom line," Moore said.

Both Cogburn and Moore told members they have no problem admitting mistakes and correcting them, and both candidates responded similarly to Dr. Ken Johnson's question regarding block scheduling and/or alternative scheduling, saying that a combination of traditional and block scheduling would be good.

Moore told Johnson and the board, "I've taught in both traditional and block scheduling arrangements," and referred to a recent visit he had made to Alcoa's system where "they are trying to make the best of both worlds. Some classes are year round, while others are not."

Cogburn and Moore both said "No," when asked if they favored consolidation of Cosby and Cocke County High Schools.

When asked about the possibility of middle schools for the county, Cogburn said, "I'm not sure we're ready for that. I would like to see us have a 'school within a school,' such as Greeneville, for the ninth graders," pointing out that currently there are 66 Cocke County students aged 18 who are between grades 9-11.

In reference to middle schools, Moore said, "I would have to ask what effects a middle school would have on schools such as Grassy Fork and Centerview, which lie so far out. What about the finances? Are we going to close two of Tennessee's top ten schools? Sevier County has both middle schools and K-8. Do we have a need for them?"

When asked if they would hire an assistant director, Cogburn responded, "In an ideal world, the answer would be 'Yes." In the real world, I would have to ask how would I

justify spending tax dollars on an assistant director and not hire another teacher."

Moore told the board, "Probably not, when we have Mr. Blazer to help me find my direction. Money is an issue and we are in an uncertain financial situation. I wouldn't rule it out for the future, if necessary."

 In his closing remarks to the board, Cogburn said, "I don't envy you your job tonight. If I'm not one of the top two, I'll respect your decision. I do appreciate your efforts. My goal in my current job [Curriculum Supervisor] has been to keep problems off the board's table. We need to communicate the good things we are doing."

Moore summarized his qualities to the board by saying he is a product of Cocke County schools and has taught both elementary and high school students, as well as coached for 8 years.

"My family has both past and future investments in our school system," he continued, referring to the many members of his family who are or have been in the education profession. "I have two kids whose futures depend on the success of our school system. I'm fair and level-headed, I like to solve problems, I can remain calm, and I can talk to anyone and deal with any problems. I would appreciate your support and your vote," Moore concluded.

After board members voted, Blazer said, "You are choosing to negotiate a contract with your top choice. If that can't be done, you will automatically go to the second person. Do you understand that?"

Board members approved Ramsey's recommendation that following tonight's selection, they will set a date to sit down with their top choice and begin contract negotiations. Board members also agreed to Proffitt's plea that they work as a group in negotiating such a contract.