NEWPORT-With all members present, the Cocke County Board of Education, meeting Thursday night at the Central Office, approved a motion by Rose Lovell to extend each school day by fifteen minutes for the coming year, a move which will accrue a total 61/2 days by next spring. Of these additional days, five may be used as snow days and the other 11/2 days for professional development.

Board members also unanimously approved a joint request by high school principals Dr. Paul Webb of Cosby and Larry Williams of Cocke County to amend their current policy regarding cell phone usage by high school students. Both principals attended the meeting to ask that the policy be changed to allow students to use cell phones between classes and during lunch.

Lovell's motion to extend the school day came after Cocke County Schools Curriculum Supervisor Kathy Holt addressed the board. Holt distributed a summary of responses the system recently received from 314 people, who overwhelmingly supported the idea of extending each school day by 15 minutes in order to stockpile days in the event of inclement weather.

Responses to the board's request for public input included 162 on-line opinions and one which was mailed to the board. The other 151 responses came from people who stopped by the Central Office and filled out a survey in person.

"I think this response is excellent!" said Holt, who also addressed four of the most commonly asked questions regarding the school board's calendar.

"One person asked why snow days have to be made up at all," said Holt. "They felt like students should simply be given the days. But that would violate state law."

Holt referred to Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-3004 which requires public school systems to "maintain a term of not less than 180 days for classroom instruction."

Other people asked if extra days were accrued and not used, would the system shorten the school days later in the spring, perhaps dismissing as early at 1:00 p.m.

"If the board adopts the extended days policy," said Holt, "there's no stopping it. If we get to April and haven't used a single day, we cannot stop the extension." Holt again referred to the same law which states that school systems that elect to stockpile days must extend the day "for the full academic year."

"Any unused days cannot be carried over to the next year," added Holt, "nor can the system discontinue the extended day within the school year."

Still other citizens asked how other counties handle situations such as inclement weather. "Mr. (Manney) Moore (Director of Schools) has worked diligently concerning this issue for over the past two years," answered Holt. "Through both district visits and conversations with personnel from neighboring counties, much time has been utilized in investigating the benefits and concerns related to stockpiling days."

Holt then told the board that records dating back to 1988 show that the local system missed an average of 5.1 days for inclement weather from 1988-2008. "Although we missed 14 days last year and 9 days the previous year, we also missed five or fewer days in 12 of these 20 years," she said. "The 6 1/2 days we'll accrue by extending the school days will be about perfect for Cocke County's needs, given our past history," she said.

In making their request for a modification of the cell phone policy, Dr. Webb told the board, "We may be back in October to ask you to change it back. This will simply be a gesture of good will."

He pointed out the difference between a cell phone ringing during class and a student using a cell phone between classes.

"If a kid uses a phone between classes, he's not disrupting instructional time," said Webb.

"I'd love to say 'Vote 'em out!'," added Williams, "but they're addicted to them. I say let's give them a chance."

On a motion by Pat Proffitt, seconded by Richard Coggins, the board then voted to amend the policy "on a trial basis for high schools only."

Williams also asked the board for their "blessing" to check on moving local high school graduations to the Walters State Expo Center in White Pine.

"Your decision to have extended days makes this a more feasible possibility," said Williams.

According to Williams, the cost of having commencement exercises at the Center would be $1500. "We will have to provide security," added Moore.

Williams' request came after overcrowded conditions at the Cosby High commencement this past spring and a torrential downpour at the CCHS graduation, which forced the ceremonies into the gymnasium.

"Lots of handicapped people couldn't get into the gym," said Proffitt.

Williams said, "We'll check into this more and be back."

In other action, the board

*approved a tax anticipation note for $250,000 from the General Purpose Fund to the Transportation Fund, the amount to be repaid by June 30, 2011

*approved a resolution to transfer funds from the General Purpose Fund to Federal Projects Fund for $200,000 for the fiscal year 2010-2011

*approved a request from Girl Scouts to enter elementary schools to distribute flyers, hold assembly presentations, and round-up meetings, as approved by principals

*approved a request by Brian Williams of Dandridge to transfer from Grace Christian School to CCHS

*approved use of facilities requests from Brushy Mountain Bear Club, Del Rio First Church of God, and Tennessee Picnic

*approved a bid of $3,923.30 from Newport Tile and Hardwood for the Pre-K classroom at Edgemont

*approved English II Advanced classes at CCHS

*approved the Hardware Maintenance Agreement with Local Government Corporation for 2010-2011