NEWPORT-During their called meeting Wednesday night, May 7, the Cocke County Board of Education approved several personnel changes recommended by Cocke County Director of Schools Larry Blazer.

On a motion by Randy Shults, seconded by Otha Rolen, the board approved the following people as chaperones/volunteers without pay for their respective schools:

Howard Williamson and Willie Stanley, Cosby High; Michael Dominiak, Parrottsville; Wilma Teague and Timmy Fine, Cosby Elementary; Jan Pack, CCHS; Juliana Keasling, Bridgeport; and Jamie Valentine, Edgemont.

Five retirements were recognized: Linda Davidson, teacher at Edgemont; Ethel L. Freshour and Sheila Sluder, teachers at Bridgeport; Dyann Bible, teacher at Centerview; and Marilyn Bryant, secretary at Smoky Mountain.

Leaves of absence were granted to Brandi Chambers, food service at CCHS; and Sandra Leach, teacher at Cosby Elementary.

Those hired by the board included Nathan Chambers, head boys basketball coach at Edgemont; Scottie Thornton, assistant JV boys basketball coach at Edgemont; Eric Fisher, assistant boys basketball coach at Edgemont; Jeff Gentry, head girls basketball coach at Edgemont; Kevin Halcomb, assistant girls basketball coach at Edgemont; Alisha Messer, Jackie Fontes, and Ashley Spurgeon, cheerleader coaches.

The resignations of three employees were accepted: Wayne Stiles, alternative school; Calvin Sutton, custodian at Smoky Mountain; and John David Bible, boys basketball coach at Edgemont.

On a motion by Shults, seconded by Richard Coggins, the board approved a request from Cosby Elementary Principal Manney Moore to allow Glenda Henderson and Lori Proffitt to work 20 extra days during the summer, with funds to come from the school.

On a similar motion by Marty Denton, seconded by Dr. Ken Johnson, the board approved a request by Edgemont Elementary Principal Connie Ball to allow Marsha Ball and Alisha Messer to work at the school during the summer, with funds to come from the school.