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Jun 19, 2023

Hamblen County Department of Education names building after Assistant Superintendent Hugh Clement

The Hamblen County Board of Education named the Department of Education Building

The Hamblen County Board of Education named the Department of Education Building after Assistant Superintendent Hugh Clement, in red tie. Clement is joined by family members at Tuesday's ceremony.

The Hamblen County Central Office was officially named after Assistant Superintendent for Administration Hugh Clement at a ceremony Tuesday evening.

Former School Board Member Janice Haun made the motion at a school board meeting in August to name the building after the long time admin.

Clement, who has dedicated the past 50 years to the county's school system, has stood in several leadership positions; for the past 23 years he has served as the assistant superintendent of schools.

School Board Chairperson Carolyn Clawson discussed the board's decision to honor Clement.

"Board policy 3.2110 outlines the rules on naming a facility and it reads ‘schools shall not be named after a living person except those who have rendered exemplary service to public education’ and we the board believe that Hugh exceeded rendered exemplary service criteria," she said.

Clawson then began to detail the services Clement provided to this district over the past 50 years.

"Mr. Clement started at Westview Middle School in 1972 as a P.E. teacher and a coach. He then moved into an assistant principal role followed by the Supervisor of Transportation in 1983. As a supervisor he started optional mandatory attendance at school board meetings and face to face interaction with school board members that is over thirty years of meetings."

"Since 1999 Hugh has served at the Assistant Superintendents of School and since then he has served as Interim Director of Schools three times most recently this year. He has served enough times in the interim director role that his picture is placed next to former directors."

Clawson thanked Clement on behalf of the school board for his dedication to the school system.

"If you ask any school board member they will tell you that Hugh is a man that knows everything about or facilities, knows our board policies more than anyone, and is deeply respected and a man of upmost integrity."

"I am privileged to represent all the school board members past and present you have worked with. You have more than earned this honor and thank you for your service."

Superintendent Arnie Bunch represented the past superintendents and gave a unified message to Clement.

"It is an honor to speak on the five superintendent that Hugh has worked with over the years and guided," Bunch said. "I asked all of the past superintendents for input and what I got back was Hugh is a professional committed to the wellbeing of staff, parents and students and always looking for growth opportunities."

"Hugh is a man of integrity who lives integrity every day and doesn't just talk it. He has dedicated himself to the success of Hamblen County Schools and is very deserving of this honor."

Bunch then discussed his personal experience with Clement and his start as superintendent.

"When I thought about applying for this position having known Hugh, I knew that I had to call Hugh before I decided to throw my name in the hat." Bunch said. "Before my initial call I made some inquiries about whether or not I was qualified to do the job and there was one unified comment ‘You have to get Hugh on your side or you will never succeed as superintendent.’"

"Over the first couple of months of working in the district I talked with community leaders and rarely did Hugh's name not be brought up as someone I should listen to and learn from. When I got here I gave the principals homework to name three things that should be left alone and most of them let me know that I needed to do everything in my power to keep Mr. Clement."

Bunch thanked Clement for his dedication to the district, and to the parents and students.

"Hugh you are more deserving of this recognition. The students and parents of this district will never full grasp the dedicated efforts you have taken on their behalf and I am thrilled the board is recognizing your dedication to this district."

Clement ended the ceremony by expressing his gratitude on receiving this honor.

"I’m so honored to be here today and grateful to be recognized by the naming of this building. I cannot express how grateful for I am to the Board of Education and all of you here today and those who could not make it."

"This recognition is result of having the opportunity to work with thousands of employees, parents and students over the past 50 years of my career."

Clement gave a few parting words encouraging staff to continue working together to provide students with a great education and work to change their lives.

"As a school system our work continues and what we have accomplished together has made a difference in the life of thousands of students. As we look forward I challenge all of us to work together to reach our mission to educate our students. I thank you all for being here today."

Clement, Bunch and Clawson removed the cloth cover and revealed the new name of central office; ‘Hugh Clement Hamblen County Department of Education."

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