DEL RIO-Members of the  Cocke County Board of Education continued their rotation of meeting sites Tuesday when they convened at Grassy Fork Elementary School.
Following a meal and a tour of the school, board members gathered in the school library in business session.
First District member Richard Coggins once again urged the board to take action on needed improvements at Del Rio Elementary School.
"In 2005," said Coggins, "we adopted a five-year plan. It called for improvements to Del Rio's gymnasium and other parts of the building, and they haven't been done. The five-year plan will end in 2009."
Coggins continued, "We need to revisit and get serious about Del Rio. We've talked but haven't done anything. They need a gym. To my knowledge, every other school in the county has been upgraded and is in good shape.
"We put these items (Del Rio's improvements) into the five-year plan. I believe all of you care about this system-not just your district."
Coggins then moved to have the board "explore all options" for improvements to Del Rio's gymnasium and "some other work." Pat Proffitt seconded the motion, which then passed unanimously.
Board members also gave unanimous approval to Otha Rolen's motion, seconded by Coggins, to allow the Del Rio Ruritan Club to use the Del Rio Elementary School softball field.
Club member David Green spoke to the board about the club's intentions. "We're not asking for any money," said Green. "But the field hasn't been used in years. We'd like permission to get the field into shape with an eye for the community to use it for recreational ballgames. The club will work on the field to get it up to standards."
Board member Coggins added, "I've talked with Del Rio's principal Jan Dellinger, who agrees with the suggestion. All she wants is notification about when it will be used."
Dr. Shannon Grooms, Grassy Fork Elementary School principal, received permission to move ahead with plans to upgrade the school's playground.
Grooms told members that the community had raised all the money ($27,000) needed for the project through fundraisers and grants.
In other action, the board accepted the only bid received for the purchase of Bench Marked tests from ScanTron Achievement Series. The $15,608.50 cost will come from Title I stimulus funding.
Glenda Henderson and Lori Proffitt were granted approval to work 20 days apiece this summer at Cosby Elementary School, and Alisha Messer (22 days), Melissa Gilland (14 days), and Marsha Ball (less than 20 days) received approval to work during the summer at Edgemont Elementary School.
Payment for all five will come from school funds.
On a motion by member Dr. Ken Johnson, seconded by Proffitt, the board approved the Summer Migrant Program Application and budget. Director Eddie Surber told the board he estimates approximately 25 children will be served. "Last year we had 26 children," said Surber. "It all depends on how many migrants move into the area and get agricultural jobs."
Several teachers were granted tenure, including Michael Brady, Brenda Crawford, David Crawford, Terre France, William Ivory, Matthew Morris, and Vera Pratt (CCHS), Steven Swann (Cosby High), Michele Hannon (Centerview), Nicole Hurst, Anita Hodges, Jason Holt, and Ginger Cantrell (Smoky Mountain), Lisa Evans (Northwest), Shauna Aiken (Bridgeport), and Travis Hall (Parrottsville).
The retirements of ten school system employees were recognized, including Patti Seehorn (CCHS), Sally DeVries (Cosby High), Bonnie Dunn (Cosby Elementary), Brenda Wilburn (Grassy Fork), Linda Clevenger, John Parker, and Toye Messer (Edgemont), Carolyn Lillard (Northwest), Linda Wines (Parrottsville), and Jack Davis (Smoky Mountain).
The board's next meetings will be held at the Central Office. They will meet in called session on Thursday, June 4, and in regular session on Thursday, June 25. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and are open to the public.