NEWPORT---Newport Board of Education members approved the purchase of 26 new computers from PCS at a price of $635 per computer during their meeting Monday evening at the school.

The total cost of $16,510 and acceptance of the bid are subject to the availability of funds in the 2008-2009 budget. Purchase of the new equipment will be made in July.

In other action, the board approved  cooperative agency agreements for Pre-school and for IDEA, Part B for the 2008/2009 school year between the Newport City School Board and the Cocke County School Board, again hinging on the availability of funds for the coming year.

On a motion by Mickey Powers, seconded by Stacy Munn, the board approved the purchase of a license for Brain Pop for the coming year. In similar action, on a motion by Bobby Smith, seconded by Jan Sneed, the board approved the purchase of a license for netTrekker d. i.

At a cost of $1,187.50, the board approved the renewal of an agreement with United Streaming through Discovery Education and a site license for The Princeton Review Assessment.

Board members heard a request by Woodlawn United Methodist Church member John Parker for permission to pave the area near Newport Grammar School's greenhouse. The church leases this area from the board.

Board members agreed to Parker's request, providing the project is approved by the planning commission.

Dr. Carlene Jones, NGS supervisor, reported that Newport Grammar School's yearly attendance for the 2007/2008 year was 95.76 percent and that 99.03 percent of the students had been promoted to the next grade level.

NGS Cafeteria Supervisor Margaretta Holt told members that the school's new reach-in refrigerator had been installed.

David Bible, NGS Director of Schools, said that the recently adopted budget for the 2008/2009 school year had been presented to the Newport City Council.

Work on the school's cafeteria is nearly finished, according to Bible. "We're waiting on the duct work to be completed," he said.

Refinishing of the school's gym floor and auditorium stage will begin the week of Aug. 11.

Custodial staff members are currently painting the school's bathrooms, Bible said.

The school is soliciting bids for panels to be installed in the cafeteria and playroom to help with acoustics.

Exercise equipment purchased through the Coordinated School Health program has arrived and has been installed.

The board will vote on an amended tuition policy in July. This policy will address payment deadlines as well as consequences for failure to meet those deadlines.