Photo by Duay O'Neil Parrottsville teacher Chris Proffitt addressed Cocke County Board of Education members Thursday night regarding a planned visit to Parrottsville Elementary by local author Karen Wilson, shown center background.

DEL RIO-The temperature inside the Del Rio Elemetary School library was cold Friday evening where Cocke County Board of Education members convened for their October meeting, but a discussion regarding a proposed author visit to Parrottsville Elementary School grew somewhat heated before both sides agreed that lack of information seemed to be at the root of the problem.

As Thursday's meeting drew to a close, Parrottsville Elementary School teacher Chris Proffit was the first of three people to address the board regarding a planned visit to the school by local author Karen Wilson.

According to Proffitt, the school had scheduled a program by Wilson earlier this year, but had then canceled the visit after board members, during their September meeting, "denied the author the right to sell her book at the presentation."

Proffitt said that many schools "pay hefty sums for writers to come and present such programs" but pointed out that Wilson, a Cocke County resident and former substitute teacher in the county school system, had not planned the charge the school for her visit.

Proffitt then distributed fliers to the board members concerning a visit this past Friday to Edgemont Elementary School by another author and showed a picture showing that writer allegedly selling copies of his book to Edgemont students.

At this point, board chair Randy Shults, interrupted Proffitt and said that at their September meeting the board had not voted to deny Wilson the opportunity to sell her book. "The question was tabled until we had further information," said Shults.

Shults' comments were echoed by board member Pat Proffitt, a brother of the Parrottsville teacher.

"We voted we would like to see the book at a meeting," said Pat Proffitt. "We did not vote to deny Ms. Wilson the right to visit the school."

Board member Richard Coggins agreed with Shults and Proffit, saying, "No such vote was taken."

Also present was Parrottsville Elementary School Librarian Sharon Nease, who said such author visits are a "great opportunity for our children."

"I'm here as a parent of three chidren, who would have seen Ms. Wilson, as a teacher who takes every opportunity I can to provide educational opportunities for our children, and as a librarian who is pledged to place good quality books in the hands of our children," Nease said.

"The program was never meant to have required attendance," added Nease, "nor were the children going to be required to purchase the book."

The book in question, The Trophy: a Wolf Story," was named Book of the Year in 2000, according to Nease.

Nease quoted various professional journal articles, which tout author visits to schools. "It's a rare treat for children to have the opportunity to meet published authors and learn firsthand about the writing process," said Nease, who pointed out that such visits "go along with our curriculum standards and school improvement plan."

Wilson asked to board to "re-evaluate their policy."

Next to speak was Karen Wilson, the book's author, who said she hoped to "clear up misconceptions about the book."

"The whole concept of my visit was to do a wolf program during Animal Week," said Wilson.

Wilson said that for each of books sold she had pledged $1 to the school library, $1 to the local humane society, and $1 to Defenders of Wildlife.

In response to concerns that part of the money would have gone to "Washington lobbyists," Wilson laughed and said, "Yes, I do belong to a special interest group-the Girl Scouts."

"The book was secondary," said Wilson. "The wolf program was first. It's as simple as that."

Board member Proffitt told Wilson, "I never said you couldn't come to the school and sell the book. I just wanted time to read the book. I have and I think it's wonderful. I don't apologize for wanting to read the book first and know what I was voting on."

Chris Proffitt told board members that his principal (Lanny Trentham) "never said it had to go before the board."

In reference to board policy regarding books, Cocke County Director of Schools Manney Moore told members the TSBA policy says that board members are "to look to see if the book is in the best interest of the community that it serves."

"I know that's still vague," he added.

Cocke County Schools Curriculum Coordinator Paul Cogburn commended Trentham for seeking board approval for the program.

"Mr. Trentham followed board policy," said Cogburn. "If other schools have indeed had such programs, they have been in violation of board policy."

Several board members said they had received numerous calls and visits from concerned parents.

Said Coggins, "What brought it to our attention was people coming to us with concerns."

Dr. Ken Johnson, board member, added, "We have a responsibility, too. I think we took appropriate action. I defend our actions. We tabled the question appropriately."

"It's not the board's role to individually go through books," Johnson continued. "That's the Central Office's responsibility. You're educators. We're not. Mr. (Wilbur) West and Mrs. (Kathy) Holt are the ideal people to do this."

Johnson then moved and Pat Proffitt seconded to approve Wilson's presentation to the school.

At this point, Wilson, Nease, and Chris Proffitt left the meeting.

Later, Coggins asked the board to revisit the issue and called for a roll call vote on Johnson's motion.

At this point, both Coggins and board member Otha Rolen voted "No," with Rolen adding, "I'm going to vote No because of the many calls I've received, but I really hope the motion passes."

Board members Rose Lovell and Marty Denton passed, saying they had not read the book, and Proffitt and Johnson voted "Yes."

Because of the three-way tie, board chair Shults was called upon to cast the deciding vote, and he passed.

However, in a later call to the Plain Talk, Schools Director Moore said that both issues "were null and void" because the question had been tabled at the September meeting and no formal action was taken at Thursday's meeting to remove the action from the table.