(c) 2010 NPT Photo by Duay O'Neil

Joe Bond of Johnson Controls addressed members of the Cocke County Board of Education on
Thursday night regarding his firm's proposal to increase energy efficiency in the county schools.
The board met at Parrottsville Elementary School.

PARROTTSVILLE-Cocke County students lost one of their mid-winter vacation days on Thursday night when members of the Cocke County Board of Education unanimously agreed to use it as one of the make-up days for the system.

County schools have been closed six days thus far this year for snow: January 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, and 13.

According to board policy, the first five days missed will be added to the end of the year: May 24-28. The sixth day will now be made up on February 16.

Unlike most other school systems, Cocke County does not build in snow days in its yearly calendar.

In other action, board members unanimously agreed to change its current weighted grades policy after hearing a presentation by CCHS Student Council representative Dylan Thomas.

For many years, Cocke County, along with a majority of other school systems, used the standard measuring system of 4 points for an A, 3 points for B, 2 points for a C, and 1 point for a D in calculating a student's GPA (grade-point average).

For several years, a growing number of local teachers and students have urged the board to abandon that system in favor of a weighted-grade measurement.

Under the measurement system adopted by the board, students enrolled in standard courses will continue to receive 4 points for an A and so on, while students taking honors courses will receive 4.5 points for an A, 3.5 points for a B, and 2.5 points for a C.

Those students taking either AP or dual enrollment courses will earn 5 points for an A, 4 points for a B, and 3 points for a C.

"This will provide initiate to students to take more challenging courses," said Thomas. "A student's GPA will not be lowered by this system; it can only go up."

Students currently enrolled in Cosby and Cocke County High Schools will not be affected by this change, which will go into effect with next fall's incoming freshman class.

Board members also agreed to "continue dialogue" with Johnson Controls, a building efficiency firm based in Mt. Juliet, TN, regarding a proposal the company has made which, they claim, will increase energy efficiency in the system's buildings.

Joe Bond, who appeared before the board last fall with the initial proposal, returned to Thursday's meeting to answer questions.

He pointed out that if the system saved $200,000 in energy costs during a year that money could be spent on "important things...like education." He also told members the saved funds could be used for infrastructure upgrades..

"You don't have to raise taxes, and you don't have to dip into capital funds," said Bond. "You just re-allocate your dollars."

Board member Otha Rolen told Bond, "A few years ago we went into an agreement with a company for something like this. Later we needed parts and the company was out of business and we couldn't get parts. That left us in a mess."

Bond answered, "That's the good thing about our company. We've been in business for 125 years. I can't speak for the company you had the agreement with. We are vendor neutral. I believe in the long run we will work with the right people."

Bond also restated his company's pledge to make up any difference between the amounts the company guarantees in savings and the system's actual savings.

"If we guarantee you'll save $200,000 and you only save $180,000, we'll show up with a check for the other $20,000," he said.

Rolen also asked about the number of years such a contract would run.

"Typically 10-15 years," responded Bond.

"If we pay back our costs to you in 10, not 15, years," countered Rolen, "then how long is your guarantee?"

"That depends on the contract," answered Bond. "Fifteen years is what I recommend. I don't think any contract should go for 20 years."

Bond then told the board his company wants to "do a study to bring to the board. Then I'll come back in March to submit our findings."

If the board agreed, Bond added, a contract could be signed as early as June of 2010.

"Well, I think it's a good thing," said Rolen, who then moved to continue discussions with the company.

Devena Cofield appeared before the board regarding an alleged incident at a basketball game at Grassy Fork concerning her child and a person she identified as a "parent."

Board chair Randy Shults told Cofield, "It has been investigated. Your next step will be to appeal to the board."

Turning to the board members Shults asked, "Does anyone want to hear the case?"

Board member Pat Proffitt responded, "I do. This is as good a time as any. I've had complaints and I'd like to know more about it."

Proffitt then moved to hear the case, but later withdrew his motion which appeared to be about to die for lack of a second.

Proffitt next moved to have Cofield return to the board's February meeting for further discussion, with Rolen seconding his motion.

Upon a voice vote, board members Dr. Ken Johnson and Rose Lovell joined Proffitt and Rolen in voting "yes" to have Cofield return, while members Richard Coggins, Marty Denton, and Randy Shults voted "no."

In other action  the board

*recognized the following people for perfect attendance for the 2008-2009 school year: Andy Anders (CCHS), Dennis Balch (Central Office), Marsha Burton (Parrottsville), Paul Cogburn (Central Office), Ed Gates (Northwest), Kathy Holt (Central Office), William Ivory (CCHS), Danny Kelley (Smoky Mountain), Manney Moore (Central Office), Carlos Negron-Roman (CCHS), Patricia Shults (Central Office), Ricky Suggs (Bridgeport), and Wilbur West (Central Office).

*approved Del Rio Elementary School's request to purchase an ELMO Digital Presenter Document Camera from PCS for a cost of not more than $600-funds to come from LEAP program

*approved several field trip requests

*approved two facility use requests

*approved three calendar options for the 2010-2011 school year

*approved Paul Cogburn, Kathy Holt, Donnie Frazier, and Eddie Surber to represent the board in negotiations with CCEA

*approved several student transfer requests

The board's next meeting will be February 11 at Centerview Elementary School starting at 6 p.m.