Former Greene Co. school board member under investigation will be replaced in May

Murry Lee
·2 min read

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The replacement for a Greene County Board of Education member who resigned earlier in April and is under investigation will be chosen in May.

Tom Cobble resigned from the school board on April 12, citing his health as the reason for his departure in a letter to Greene County Director of Schools David McLain and school board chairman Rick Tipton.

TBI investigating now-former Greene Co. school board member

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed on April 15 that it was investigating allegations made against Cobble; however, the agency said since the investigation was active, it could not provide any more information.

On Thursday, the Greene County Board of Education met and Tipton made an announcement regarding Cobble. While Tipton did not address any of the allegations or the investigation, he did share details on how Cobble’s seat would be filled.

“The Greene County Legislative Body, at its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting on May 20, 2024, will select an individual to replace Tommy Cobble on the school board representing the second district,” Tipton said.

According to Tipton, the person selected by the Greene County Commission and Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison will serve out the remainder of Cobble’s term until Aug. 31, 2024. All applications to fill the seat must go through the county mayor.

“On behalf of the Greene County Board of Education, the staff, teachers, and students, I want to thank Mr. Cobble for his invaluable service on the school board, serving the school children and the citizens of Greene County,” Tipton said.

Recently resigned Greene County school board member still on ballot

The board did not address Cobble further on Thursday and did not take any questions related to him or the investigation.

News Channel 11 confirmed that as of April 16, Cobble was still on the ballot for the August general election.

Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey previously provided a statement in response to inquiries regarding the TBI investigation:

“As this matter is under criminal investigation, we are not permitted to disclose any information within the school system’s knowledge about the case as per standing instructions from the district Attorney General’s office.”

ROGER WOOLSEY, GREENE COUNTY ATTORNEY REPRESENTING GREENE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

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