16 Mar Statement from the Director of Schools

Dear students, families, staff members and Cocke County community,

We are currently dealing with a scenario surrounding the COVID-19 virus that is unprecedented in our nation’s history. We are all being asked by the President, Governor, and the Centers of Disease Control to do our part to reduce the spread of the virus. This requires us to take measures that limit the exposure in mass gatherings that will help keep Cocke County safe.

Our school district leadership has been in close contact with state and local officials to coordinate our efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Those discussions as part of the Cocke County Health Task Force have allowed school district leadership to include our input on our community’s response.

As a result of this community-wide effort, we have announced the closure of Cocke County Schools through Friday, March 27th. However, Governor Bill Lee has asked local school districts to close through Tuesday, March 31st as we make a strong effort across Tennessee to aggressively limit the spread of the virus. As a result, Cocke County Schools will remain closed through March 31st and release updates about further scheduling issues on this website as we know them.

I realize that decisions surrounding long-term school closure place an unexpected burden on families. They also impact extra-curricular activities, field trips, and other traditional activities that take place annually in the Spring. I want to assure you that we make these decisions based on the safety of our students and staff members. In a situation such as this where there are far more questions than solid answers, we simply have to do our part as a school district to make sure we contribute to the solution that is best for the overall community. The health of the medically fragile members of our community depend on our commitment to do what is needed for all of Cocke County, the State of Tennessee, and our nation.

Our schools will provide meals to our students during the school closure period. Your child’s school will communicate those plans to you as we make every effort to meet the needs of Cocke County’s students during this period while they are away from our schools.

Let’s all pull together to protect our community.

Manney Moore,
Director of Schools