Dawson-Bryant schools Superintendent Dr. James Payne sees the district's newest endeavor as similar to a math problem.

Healthier students + healthier staff = better grades and better schools.

Payne said the plan is to open two wellness centers/exercise rooms - one at the high school and another at the elementary school. The students would be able to use the equipment during physical education classes and the staff could use it before or after school.

"We are trying to take the initiative here to reinvest back into the health of our students and staff," Superintendent Payne said. "If you have healthier students they will be in the classroom with a ready-to-learn mentality because their bodies are physically healthy. The same applies to the teachers."

Although the wellness centers may not be ready until early 2004, the four-step plan has been set in motion, he said.

The first phase is to use a questionnaire to find out what health issues of the staff and students most need addressed.

The second step is to provide a health fair for the employees based off of the questionnaire.

The third step is to develop a health improvement plan tailored for each individual staff member.

The final phase of the plan is to acquire the needed equipment for the wellness centers.

"It is a big undertaking, but one that I think is worth it if it produces better health overall for staff and students," Payne said.

Overall, he said that they do not want to compete with local fitness centers but that this solution will best fit the needs of the staff and students.

"If we are really going to do this and be serious about it, then it has to be accessible and at the same location that they work and go to school," he said.

Payne said the district also plans to work closely with the district's Food Service Director Dottie Petry to continue to provide more nutritious, balanced meals.

This concept is already in place and many foods are being prepared differently such as by baking instead of frying, he said.

Also, Petry plans to set up a nutrition committee made up of building representatives and parents to help everyone get behind the program, Payne said.

The school board, both unions are all supportive of the concept, he said. The physical education teachers are ready to work with the students and staff.