Charlene Lofton Jones was the first member of her family to attend college, and her change in career paths in January is based on helping first-generation college students.
After serving under nine superintendents over her 25-year career with St. Louis Public Schools, this is her last with the district. Beginning with the spring 2009 semester, Jones will join the Harris-Stowe State University staff as a political science professor.
“It’s sad to be leaving (SLPS), but I’m thankful to be going to Harris-Stowe,” Jones said.
“It means I will have the opportunity to work under the most dynamic college president in the state.”
Jones was speaking of HSSU President Dr. Henry Givens Jr., who has glowing praise for his new faculty member.
“It’s wonderful that she is joining our staff,” Givens said.
“She is going to help us build a Political Science Department and make it one of the state’s best.”
Jones said, “I have been smiling since Nov. 4,” not only in reaction to Barack Obama being elected president, but because it will help her as a college instructor.
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time,” Jones said.
“We’re building a Political Science Department at a time when so many African Americans have become interested in politics for the first time.”
She said she would also be using some of retired Congressman William “Bill” Clay’s books as textbooks.
Born in St. Louis and a Vashon High School graduate, Jones received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Rockford (Ill.) College in 1968.
Her education continued with a master’s in political science from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1971 and her Doctorate of Philosophy in public policy analysis and administration from Saint Louis University in 1986.
She joined SLPS in 1983 and moved into a series of senior-level administrative positions, including associate superintendent for personnel, executive director of planning and assistant to the superintendent.
Retired SLPS Supt. Cleveland Hammonds Jr. worked with Jones from 1996 to 2003 and called her “a valuable asset to the district.”
“Charlene is very good with details. She believes in having a clear path to a goal or objective. It is one of her strong suits.”
“Most of the students at Harris-Stowe are first-generation college students, just like myself. I had people reach out to me and I want to do the same,” Jones said.
“This position affords me the opportunity to do just that.”
Her mother, Catherine Long, still resides in St. Louis, and Jones said, “She’s the one who said I was going to go to college.”
Unlike many college professors, Jones has hands-on experience when it comes to politics. While her administrative and educational skills have helped SLPS weather many storms, he most vital service to the district has probably come in the political arena as campaign manager for SLPS tax and bond issue campaigns.
She took on 24 electoral challenges and won 20 of them as campaign manager. The victories helped raise more than $550 million for the district.
The most satisfying of those 20 victories, says Jones, was the $40-million bond issue that created funds to construct the new Vashon High School.
Jones’ work saved Vashon students from a school that was “very old, used to be factory.”
“Our Vashon students tend to be some of the our most needy and yet they were receiving the least amount of resources,” Jones said.
She also called the $80-million bond issue to air condition dozens of SLPS schools one of her most important triumphs.
“Our students were subjected to sweltering heat in schools that were like ovens,” Jones said. “It made it very difficult to concentrate academically in such uncomfortable conditions.”
Former Comptroller Virvus Jones said, “Charlene lent her expertise to many political campaigns (other than just bond issues). She is a natural to teach political science.”
Leaving behind a blueprint
Harris-Stowe’s gain is SLPS’ loss.
License Collector Mike McMillan said Jones “has always been so accessible. Now, with so many changes, it will be hard to know who you can call (at the district).”
Jones is leaving the district just as disturbing news on dropout rates has been released from the state, and the Special Administrative Board continues the tough assignment of improving the unaccredited district.
While she has served nine superintendents very well, the fact that there have been five in the last five years has been part of the district’s problem.
She said her departure would not add to the SAB’s difficult chores.
She said that SAB CEO Rick Sullivan, Richard Gaines and Melanie Adams “have rolled up their sleeves and carved out a major challenge that they concentrate on.”
Jones said, “Our district is becoming much more focused, and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Sullivan said Jones “will leave large shoes for us to fill.”
He called Jones “skilled and very capable,” adding that she was always pleasant to work with.
Gaines, chair of the district’s Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee, called on Jones to help craft the district’s plan and also garner community input. Again, she excelled beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
“We have had tremendous success with plan development, especially in the area of community engagement,” Jones said.
This includes more than 1,500 people taking part in a series of Saturday summits.
Gaines said Jones’ “tremendous administrative and organizational skills will be difficult to replicate, but we will move forward because we must.”
That plan was completed earlier this month. By the time she leaves for Harris-Stowe, Jones said, ““we will have a blueprint for the entire district to focus upon.”
