NEWPORT-Cocke County's 2010 graduating high school seniors will march across the stage Friday night, June 4, to collect their diplomas.

Cocke County Board of Education members, meeting Tuesday evening at the Central Office, unanimously voted to set this year's graduation date for both Cosby and Cocke County High Schools.

Cosby High's ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. with Cocke County High's following at 8 p.m.

Later in the evening, seniors from both high schools will celebrate the occasion at the annual Gradfest at Newport/Cocke County Community Center.

Board member Richard Coggins moved the date be June 4, with Marty Denton providing the second. The motion also allowed for principals to have "flexibility on the final exams."

In other action, board members unanimously approved two requests from organizations to incorporate their groups' activities and campaigns in the schools.

SafeSpace representatives Van Wolfe and Renee Hurst asked for the board's approval to present three 45-minute programs to school students.

According to Wolfe, SafeSpace programs have been a part of the local schools for the past 12 years.

"We are asking for your endorsement to allow us to continue our work in the schools," she said, adding that there have been some problems scheduling the programs because of "TCAP issues."

Board member Pat Proffitt, who praised the programs which have been presented at Northwest Elementary School, asked, "Why not schedule the programs after the students take their TCAP tests? I can't understand why it will be a problem. I know it has been very useful at Northwest."

Also praising the programs was Allison Hayes, guidance counselor at Centerview Elementary School.

"The programs have been very beneficial at Centerview," said Hayes, "especially the units on bullying and healthy relationships. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to have these programs presented to our students."

Hurst pointed out that the programs are annually presented to all schools in both Jefferson and Sevier Counties. "I don't want our students to miss out on these opportunities," she said.

Director of Schools Manney Moore recommended that a SafeSpace spokesman come to this Friday's meeting of all county school principals to discuss the programs.

On a motion by Proffitt, seconded by Rose Lovell, board members unanimously endorsed the programs.

Also appearing before the board was CCHS senior Luke Bell, representing the newly-formed Haiti Partnership Team.

Bell presented board members with a brief history of the group and asked for permission to place a 55-gallon drum in each of the county's dozen schools for donations of beans, rice, canned meat, corn meal, or flour.

"We're asking each school to commit to our Barrels of Hope for Haiti program by sponsoring one barrel and providing a $100 cash donation to help cover shipping costs," said Bell.

He also said students will be given the opportunity to write encouraging letters or notes to go inside the barrels.

"Each school is asked to complete their first barrel for pickup by April 30," said Bell.

On a motion by Richard Coggins, seconded by Otha Rolen, board members unanimously approved Bell's request and also suggested he speak at Friday's principals' meeting.

Board members took no action on a parent's request that his child be removed from a physical education class at Northwest School.

Gary Styles told board members his daughter had received corporal punishment after having been warned ten times not to chew gum. "The school law says three times," said Styles. "The issue is not that she was punished. The issue is that the teacher left a mark on her behind."

Board members learned the incident had already been investigated by Curriculum Supervisor Paul Cogburn, who said, "There is no debate on whether or not the child was paddled. There is no debate on the number of warnings the child received. Each step in the process was followed.

"Every school has now received a letter stating that a child has a choice of accepting corporal punishment or not. If the student refuses, it's out of the teacher's hands."

In reference to Styles' request that his daughter be removed from the class, Cogburn said, "I cannot grant Mr. Styles' request that she not be in a PE class."

In other action, board members

*approved the purchase of 30 PCS Intel Desktop Computer Systems at $880 each, 1 PCS Notebook Laptop at ($1,175), and 1 Promethean Board for ($2,697) from PCS, Inc (total cost of $30,512), with funds to come from Special Education IDEA Part B Carryover

*accepted the only bid received for four 84-passenger buses, including extended warranties, for $393,964 and the purchase of one 60-passenger bus, including extended warranty, for $86,838 (total cost $481,202) [This acceptance will now be sent to the Cocke County Legislative Body]

*approved an agreement for Cocke County schools to participate in the Senior Community Service Employment Program as a host agent

*approved the purchase of Triump Intervention Reading Program Materials from McGraw Hill at the cost of $5,419.41, with funds to come from Special Education IDEA Part B Carryover money

*approved a memorandum of understanding with Telamon Corporation

*approved a three-year contract with Lincoln Financial to provide a $10,000 life insurance policy for each employee and additional voluntary life insurance

*approved numerous field trip request

*approved the use of school facilities

*set the next board meeting for Thursday, April 15, 2010, at Cocke County High School