UPDATE: Longview ISD released the following statement regarding Jody Clements' hire as the district's assistant superintendent of administrative and pupil services.
Kilgore ISD Superintendent Jody Clements is set to become Longview ISD's assistant superintendent for administrative and pupil services, both districts announced today.
Clements was hired as Kilgore ISD's superintendent in February 2008. The district's Board of Trustees plans to accept his resignation at a Thursday meeting. He expects to begin his new role in Longview on September 17, Clements said.
"We are very sad to see Mr. Clements leave us," Kilgore ISD Board President Janet Marley said. "Not only has Jody become a good friend, but he has done great things for this district."
During Clements' tenure, test scores in Kilgore ISD improved in 20 of 25 areas; voters approved a $55 million bond for two new campuses and the remodeling of two others; and the district has been able to maintain all programs, despite cuts in state funding. He'll be joining a district with similar accolades to its credit.
"Longview ISD is charged with providing the highest possible world class education for all students who attend our district," Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said. "Cutting edge educational programs such as our IB (International Baccalaureate) and early college high school require that we employ the best and brightest in the field of education. Jody Clements fits the role."
Clements will be filling a spot that was vacated in late-2011, following the retirement of Jennifer Scott. He will be overseeing various areas of Longview ISD, including safety, public records and grants. Clements also plans to continue the pursuit of his doctorate – something he had to put on hold because of the time constraints of being superintendent.
"I love Kilgore and Kilgore ISD," Clements said. "The city and schools are such an important part of my life – and the lives of everyone in my family. Working with Longview ISD has been a long-time goal of mine and it's nice to make such a transition so close to home."
Clements' wife Courtney is employed by Kilgore ISD and his son will continue to attend Kilgore schools, he said.
"I knew that a job offer would come along that he couldn't pass on," Marley said. "A good superintendent is a very hot commodity. Over the past two years he has had numerous opportunities to leave but, has stayed to complete the goals he set out to do when he took the job in 2008."
LONGVIEW/GREGG COUNTY (KYTX) - Longview Independent School District trustees today hired Kilgore ISD Superintendent Jody Clements to serve as LISD assistant superintendent of administrative and pupil services.
KISD trustees have scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Thursday to consider only two action items involving personnel – a resignation action and an employment action. No other details are made public in the meeting agenda.
"First of all, (LISD Superintendent) Dr. James Wilcox and I, he's been one of my mentors ever since I was superintendent," Clements said. "My ultimate goal was always to be a big 5A superintendent. When this job opened up next to us, it was an opportunity to pursue my goal and stay right here."
Clements is a Kilgore native who coached and taught at Kilgore High School, served as principal of two other KISD campuses and was the district's human resources director prior to his superintendency.
Kilgore ISD is fresh from approving a 2012-2013 budget that includes a $766,367 deficit, to be made up with its estimated $5 million fund balance, according to the Kilgore News Herald. In May, he was among 32 superintendents of East and Central Texas school districts who signed a letter to Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas Legislature urging them to repair the state's standardized testing, accountability and school funding systems.
Clements said leading a school district that he attended has some positives and negatives, but Kilgore ISD passed a bond election, maintained high test schools and kept the financial books looking great during his tenure.
"We've reached those goals. We've got them accomplished," Clements said.
He added that his wife will continue teaching in Kilgore ISD, and his school-age child will remain a KISD student.
