More Resources Paige Announces Formation of Two New Offices

Eric G. Andell, former Texas appeals court justice and current senior advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, has been appointed by the secretary as deputy undersecretary in charge of the new Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools within the department.

Andell will oversee all activities related to safe schools, crisis response, alcohol and drug prevention, health and well being of students, and building strong character and citizenship in the new unit.  His office will also take the leadership role in the department's Homeland Security efforts.

"We are fortunate to have someone of Judge Andell's skills directing this crucial effort to help preserve the safety of America's schools and promote healthy lifestyles among its students," Secretary Paige said. 

Andell joined the Education Department last year as Paige's senior advisor, providing recommendations and guidance on juvenile justice, school safety, drug abuse reduction and other related issues requiring action by the secretary or the department.

Before that, he served as a judge for the 315th District Court of Texas (Juvenile Court), and most recently was a justice for the First Court of Appeals for the state of Texas.

During his earlier tenure as a juvenile court judge, he helped establish High Point High School, one of the earliest high schools committed to serving at-risk students who had been expelled from the public school system.

Andell has also chaired the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and served as vice-chair of the Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation of Harris County; chair of "At-Risk Students," a program sponsored by the Harris County Education Foundation; and as a member of the Houston/Harris County Commission on Children.

Of the new safe and drug-free schools office, Secretary Paige said it will help bring together into a single unit programs that are currently scattered in several offices.

"Folding all programs that deal with safety, health and citizenship into one office will enable us to better respond to the critical needs of schools in these areas and also help us to develop a broad-based comprehensive strategy," Paige said.  "Ensuring that all schools are safe, free of alcohol and drugs, and teach students good citizenship and character is essential if we are to ensure that no child is left behind."

Paige said that school shootings in recent years and the terrorist attacks of 9/11 sent a clear message that schools need to be better prepared to deal with an entirely new class of emerging threats. Schools must be ready to deal with everything from natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, to shooting, accidents and terrorist attacks.

A primary goal of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools will be to assist schools in developing plans to deal with the variety of threats they face and which if not addressed could impede teaching and learning.

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