Eddie Johnson announced he is running for his third term on the Newton County Board of Education, District 2 Wednesday.

“It is an honor to serve, and I want to continue to contribute and sustain the success of this Newton County School System,” Johnson said.

During Johnson’s eight years on the school board, the system has implemented a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Program and received state recognition multiple times. The school board has also managed the budget, enabling salaries and some benefits to be restored, while continuing to prioritize resources to support and enhance the learning environment.

The increased enrollment in Advance Placement Courses in Alcovy, Eastside and Newton high schools has been recognized by The College Board, and the school system’s After School Program has experienced growth.

“We have made tremendous progress in educating our students,” Johnson said. “This all happened through the efforts and dedication of the teachers and staff.

“Among all the measurements that track our progress, none matters more than the graduation rate of 83 percent, which is higher than the state average.”

Johnson is a native of Leesburg, and began serving his first term on the Newton County Board of Education on Jan. 13, 2009. He is a graduate of Albany Technical College and has a certificate in electricity. He completed a three-year tour in the United States Army, has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Albany State and held several managerial positions within AT&T.

Johnson and his family moved from Boston to Newton County in 1991 and retired as a Senior Project Manager after 30 years of service in 2001. He drove a school bus for the Newton County School System until being elected to the school board in November of 2008.

Johnson and his wife, Willynne, reside in Newton County, and have two children and a granddaughter, Kiersten. Their children, Eddie, Jr. and daughter, Tiffani are educators.