TBI investigating now-former Greene Co. school board member

GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) – A member of the Greene County Board of Education has resigned, citing his declining health as the reason, while state authorities say he is under investigation.

Former school board member Tom Cobble submitted a letter of resignation Friday to Greene County Director of Schools David McLain and school board chairman Rick Tipton.

Cobble wrote that he was resigning effective “due to his declining health.” He stated in the letter that his health had made it “increasingly challenging for me to fulfill my duties as an effective board member.”

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) confirmed to News Channel 11 that it was investigating allegations made against Hugh Thomas Cobble. However, the TBI said due to the investigation being active, it would not provide any specific information on the charges as of Friday.

Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey sent a letter to News Channel 11 in response to an inquiry regarding Cobble. Woolsey answered on behalf of the Greene County Board of Education, stating that since an inquiry regarding Cobble was under criminal investigation, the school board was not permitted to disclose any more information.

“Without commenting on any specific allegations regarding any School Board Member, as a general rule, we will not prejudge any allegations that’s still under investigation and it is premature and irresponsible for us to share yet to be verified allegations and/or speculate about the next steps of any investigation. One reason for our general rule of deferring comment frankly some of the information we receive is unreliable or secondhand information and we will defer commenting on any specific School Board Member until the investigative work is concluded.”

Roger A. Woolsey, Greene County Attorney

Woolsey wrote that the county and school board will cooperate with any investigation.

Cobble attributed his resignation only to health concerns in his resignation letter, making no mention of any allegations or investigation.

“This has not been easy for me, as serving on the school board has been a source of great joy and fulfillment,” Cobble wrote. “However, my health needs require my full attention and focus at this time. I believe stepping down is the most responsible course of action for both myself and the board.”

Cobble went on to state he was proud of what the school board had accomplished over the last 12 years and expressed admiration for the rest of his colleagues on the school board and staff in the Greene County Schools system.

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