Johnny Brown, Ph.D., superintendent of the DeKalb County School System, has been sworn in as a new member of the DeKalb County Board of Health. Brown fills the position vacated through retirement of former superintendent James. R. Hallford, who served on the board for six years.

"The Board of Health's and the DeKalb County School System's goals are for our children to achieve not only the highest quality of education, but also improved health status," says Brown.

"Keeping our children both physically and mentally healthy enhances their abilities to both compete and successfully succeed within the educational setting."

Prior to his new position, Brown served for five years as the superintendent of Birmingham (Alabama) City Schools. He has also held other administrative positions in Texas and Ohio. Dr. Brown received his doctorate from the University of Texas, and his master's and bachelor's degrees from Southwest Texas State University.

In the Birmingham school district, he implemented programs in childhood literacy and eighth-grade algebra. The district created a five-year capital development plan for construction of 11 new schools, technology enhancements in all schools and renovations and additions to more than half of its schools. During Brown's tenure, the Birmingham schools achieved improved student attendance. There was a 72% decline in student suspensions (from 10,500 in 1998 to less than 3,000 in 2000). He placed a drug and alcohol counselor in each area of the system, and employed drop-out prevention and recovery coordinators to prevent drop outs and to re-enroll former students.

"With Dr. Brown's leadership we will continue our great working relationship with the DeKalb County School System," says Paul J. Wiesner, M.D. director of the DeKalb County Board of Health. "Recently, the Board of Health conducted the Center for Disease Control's School Health Index to assess the level of physical activity among several elementary schools as well as examine the impact of hand-washing practices."

Wiesner adds that those projects and many other initiatives to improve the health status of school-age children will only be enhanced by Superintendent Brown's vision and innovative thinking towards education.

Other members of the DeKalb County Board of Health include: J. Frederick Agel; Eleanor L. Richardson; Mayor Marcia Glenn of the city of Lithonia; Anthony George, Jr; Victor Lui, M.D. and Chief Executive Office of DeKalb County Vernon Jones.

The public is invited to attend all board meetings and to offer public comment on health issues impacting the community. For further information about board meeting dates, contact (404) 294-3700.

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