Staff photo by Tim Barber /
Tucker McClendon is the new Hamilton County Schools board member for District 8.
THE BOARD
The Hamilton County Board of Education consists of nine representatives.District 1: Rhonda ThurmanDistrict 2: Kathy LennonDistrict 3: Joe SmithDistrict 4: Tiffanie RobinsonDistrict 5: Karitsa Mosley JonesDistrict 6: Jenny HillDistrict 7: Joe WingateDistrict 8: Tucker McClendonDistrict 9: Steve Highlander
Tucker McClendon is one of two new Hamilton County school board members sworn in last week.
The representative from District 8 and Jenny Hill, of District 6, were elected to the Board of Education in August, and will participate in their first work session Tuesday as full-fledged board members. McClendon beat out incumbent David Testerman with a narrow margin.
For parents, families and community members, here are some things you need to know about the newest District 8 school board member.
1. He is a recent graduate.
McClendon just graduated from the University 0f Tennessee at Chattanooga this spring, which means the 23-year-old was a student in a Hamilton County classroom just a few short years ago. Both he and other board members agree that his unique perspective will be a valuable one for the board.
"I was in a public school sitting in a classroom five years [ago], and though things have changed in five years I think I can still connect with parents, with teachers, with students I know what they're going through," he said.
Board member Kathy Lennon, of District 2, also sees that as an asset.
"Some people think that's not a good thing, but I think that's a great thing, because he's just had that experience of being in school for so many years and he will bring that experience to the school board," she said.
2. He has a vision for the school district's facilities.
When asked what his first priority was, McClendon said the district's deferred maintenance and facilities plan. Though the board approved a more than $110 million capital plan last fall, facilities are often cited as the community's biggest concerns.
"I have been in some schools already and I've been kind of taken aback by how bad some stuff is," McClendon said. "Our facilities really are the foundation for education in the county."
McClendon said he'd like to take the lead on the board's facilities plan, including working with Ken Bradshaw, the district's chief of operations, who recently told the board he hoped to construct a seven- to- 10-year capital plan.
3. He's ready to work with a variety of businesses.
As the manager of the Chattanooga Market, McClendon says he has experience working with the "smallest of small businesses." In his former role as the chairman of government and external affairs for UTC's Student Government Association, he also worked with large corporations such as Aramark and government entities. This balance, McClendon believes, will help with the district's push to work closer with the business community in Chattanooga.
"I want to be that facilitator for bringing community partners into our schools," he said. "I want to bring a lot of local businesses in District 8 and make sure our students have a chance to be exposed to a bunch of different things, experiences and career options."
4. He says he anticipates working long hours for his district.
Aside from his work with the Chattanooga Market and cheering for the Tennessee Vols football team, McClendon said he wanted to be present in District 8 schools, whether that meant working with cafeteria staff, reading to students or being available to teachers.
His goal is to visit at least one school each week. He also plans to create a District 8 advisory council. McClendon's enthusiasm for his role stems from being a product of the very school district he now serves.
"I have a passion for Chattanooga that I think is more of an obsession. I love this city, I love this county," he said. "If we can get this education system right, there's no doubt in my mind that we can be the best place to live in the country."
Board member Tiffanie Robinson, of District 4, said the new board members are in a position to really accelerate progress in Hamilton County's public schools.
"There's so much change that has taken place over the past two years, they are in a position to be a part of the community's desire for that change," she said.
Contact staff writer Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.