Gov. Phil Bredesen has announced $14 million in grants for school systems across the state -- including both local school systems -- to continue "coordinated school health" partnerships.

The grants encourage school systems to build strong relationships with local resources to improve students' health, according to the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Greeneville School System will receive a $100,000 grant and the Greene County School System will receive a $105,000 grant.

"I am pleased to know that we can continue to support local school students with funding that will provide them the resources necessary to protect the physical, mental and emotional health of Tennessee's students," Bredesen said.

"A student's health can support or hinder academic success and it is our responsibility to ensure a stronger generation through partnerships like the Coordinated School Health initiative and CoverKids, Bredesen said."

Dr. Joe Parkins, director of the Greene County School System, said "I think it has been a real addition to our school system. Valerie Walters, our coordinated school health coordinator, has done an excellent job implementing this program. I think it's a real asset to the school system."

Dr. Lyle Ailshie, Greeneville's director of schools, said the new health grant is the second his school system has received.

"These are very important grants," he said. "Because they allowed us to hire and retain Jeannie Woolsey as our school health coordinator. We are blessed to have her."

Dr. Ailshie said Woolsey supervises the school system's health, nursing and safety programs.

Since piloting 10 partnerships in 2002, Tennessee has dedicated a steady stream of funding that has in turn resulted in an additional $4 million gain at the district level as the result of partnerships developed by coordinated school health coordinators.

Through these partnerships families, community members and schools are brought together to focus on health awareness, physical activity, healthy nutrition and counseling services.

"These partnerships help provide our state's children with a more well-rounded learning experience, focusing not only on academics, but the health and well-being of students," Education Commissioner Dr. Timothy Webb said.

"With the amount of time children spend in the classroom, it makes sense that we invest in their physical and mental health," Webb said.

State Rep. David Hawk, R-5th, of Greeneville, said he was happy to see the two local school systems received the grants.

"These are very important grants for the Greeneville and Greene County School Systems," Rep. Hawk said. "It's important for children to learn healthy eating and exercise habits that will help them grow to become healthy adults."

State Rep. Eddie Yokley, D-11th, of Greene County, said of the grants, "Having a healthy school environment is essential to having healthy and productive students. We are wise to encourage more partnerships like we've seen in the past that benefit not only our children, but our communities as a whole."