(NASHVILLE) — State Representative Kevin Brooks (R-Cleveland) has been named 2017 Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee School Health Coalition (TNSHC).
Brooks was selected for this award because of his unwavering support and advocacy for the Tennessee Coordinated School Health program.
According to the Tennessee Department of Education’s website, the Coordinated School Health program was first created with the passage of the Coordinated School Health Act in 2000 and was later expanded into academic institutions across the state in 2006.
The program is designed to connect physical, emotional, and social health with education through eight inter-related components. This approach supports improvements in students’ overall health, as well as their capacity to learn through the support of families, communities, and schools all working together.
Representative Brooks has prioritized the health and well-being of the students who live in his community throughout his time serving District 24. Through this specific initiative, he has partnered with local program coordinators and the Bradley County Health Department to remove barriers to learning for students. This includes ongoing education about the dangers of tobacco use and abuse, as well as free flu shots for all students in the Bradley County and Cleveland City School Districts.
Additionally, Brooks has fought for increased physical activity and physical education, healthier school nutrition programs, and stronger standards for district school buses in an effort to improve student safety. He is also currently a sponsor of a budget amendment that — if passed — will increase program funding as part of Governor Haslam’s FY 2018-2019 budget.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive this award from the Tennessee School Health Coalition,” said Representative Brooks. “I believe we must continue to support the health and well-being of our students through this effective program because they are our future leaders; when our students have the tools they need to succeed, we all benefit, and the future of our state is bright.”
As Vice-Chairman of the House Finance, Ways, & Means Committee, Brooks and his colleagues have increased funding for K-12 education by more than $1.2 billion in recent years while also cutting taxes on hardworking citizens. This investment has resulted in our students becoming the fast-improving in the entire nation across math, reading, and science. Additionally, Tennessee posted the highest graduation rates ever last year — 89.1 percent.
Brooks and his Republican colleagues led efforts in 2017 to not only fully fund education in Tennessee but also provide additional monies to account for school district growth. His efforts led to Bradley County Schools receiving an additional $202,000 to support education initiatives in the county.
For more information about how Vice-Chairman Brooks and the House Republican Caucus are advancing Tennessee’s conservative values, please click here.
Kevin Brooks serves as the Vice-Chairman of the House Finance, Ways & Means Committee. He is also a member of the House Calendar & Rules and House Insurance & Banking Committee, as well as the House Finance Ways & Means Subcommittee. Brooks lives in Cleveland and represents House District 24, which includes part of Bradley County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Kevin.Brooks@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-1350.