The saying “once a teacher, always a teacher” means education is your calling for life. It holds true of former St. Louis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cleveland Hammonds Jr.
He collapsed yesterday at the beginning of a lecture he was giving on educational leadership at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Hammonds was pronounced dead a short time later at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill. He was 74.
Hammonds retired from SLPS in 2003 after heading the district for seven years and had taught part-time ever since. Those who worked closely with him describe his quiet strength, morale-building ability and his leadership that brought St. Louis Public Schools within two points of full State accreditation.
“Under his leadership, the district moved within two points of full accreditation,” said Charlene L. Jones, Hammonds’ assistant to the superintendent.
“He was also instrumental in passing a $40 million bond issue to build a state-of-the-art Vashon High School. It was also under his leadership that the district passed two bond issues to air-condition city schools.”
“He did it with a very directed effort and a very disciplined effort,” said Richard Gaines, who participated in the selection process to hire Hammonds at SLPS.
“He was a kind gentleman, absolutely gracious, and the field of education will sorely miss him.”
Former SLPS school board member Earl Nance Jr. worked closely with Dr. Hammond.
“He believed that all children could learn, and when he talked to them, he encouraged them to achieve to the highest levels of their ability,” Nance said.
“He also encouraged staff to perform, whether it be teachers, or ancillary staff or administrators. He believed strongly in self-accountability.”
Current SLPS Superintendent Kelvin Adams paid high respects to Hammonds.
“He placed the needs of our students as the top priority for our school district, and will be remembered for his commitment to the teaching and learning of the district’s students,” Adams said.
Alderwoman Marlene Davis worked with Hammonds as school board member.
“He understood what it meant to be part of the community, and he did all of that graciously,” Davis said.
“He was a professional that took everybody seriously and made sure that we stayed focused and had great determination to reach our goals.”
Urban League President James H. Buford said Hammond “was an excellent academician, superb administrator, great communicator and he loved youth.”
Missouri Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro said of Hammonds, “Both the profession and the St. Louis Public Schools benefited from his leadership.”
Hammonds, a Louisiana native, graduated from Alton High School in 1954, earned a bachelor’s in history at SIU-Carbondale and a master’s in guidance counseling in 1963 at SIU-Edwardsville. In 1973, Hammonds earned his doctorate in educational administration at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Before returning to the St. Louis area, Hammonds served as superintendent in school districts in Michigan, Alabama and North Carolina, where he was named Superintendent of the Year.
Hammonds earned numerous awards over the years for educational achievement and community service. He was president of the Horace Mann League and Large City Schools Superintendents and served on the boards of Mathews Dickey Boys and Girls Clubs, the United Way, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and Boy Scouts of America, to name a few, and was on the executive board of the SIUC Alumni Association.
SIUE Dean of Education Bette Bergeron said, “We were privileged to have someone of Cleveland Hammonds’ expertise in sharing his knowledge with our graduate students in our administration programs. He was highly respected by our students and faculty, and will be greatly missed.”
Cleveland Hammonds resided in Belleville with his wife, Yvonne. They have three children and three grandchildren.
Officer Funeral Home in East St. Louis, Illinois, is handling final arrangements.
