Editorial: Keep shining the light on local officials

One of the duties of a newspaper is to serve as a watchdog and a check on the government, and for this newspaper, it has been a busy month in terms of standing up for open records and open meetings.

Last week’s column was given over to the explanation of the Texas Open Meetings Act in light of the behavior of the Clarendon Board of Aldermen; and while we were busy speaking out against an improper closed meeting of that board, we neglected to report on the results of the previous week’s editorial.

Readers will remember that in the April 11 issue, this column reported that the Enterprise has filed a formal open records request with the Hedley Independent School District. In a letter dated April 9, we requested copies of all board agendas and minutes (whether approved by the board or not) as well as a list of contracts renewed during the contentious March 19 meeting in which the athletic director, Darrell Wallace, was not renewed.

After the paper went to press that week, there was a brief back-and-forth between the district and the Enterprise. Ultimately, we submitted a legal opinion from the Texas Attorney General’s office to the district, and by Friday afternoon, April 12, we were in possession of all that we had requested.

Subsequently, when we called the school this week to ask for copies of upcoming agendas and last week’s minutes, they were faxed to our office in less than 24 hours.

It should also be noted that following last week’s meeting, board members thanked the paper’s representatives for coming and voiced their continued support for open records. They have also begun audio taping their meetings to add even more sunshine to the process.

We applaud that effort and expect that Hedley ISD will continue to cooperate on future open records requests. We also hope that all involved understand the importance of operating above board, without hidden agendas, and in the best interests of the taxpayers and the children of the Hedley school district.

The Enterprise is still pouring over the minutes obtained by our request, but we have learned a few things. The board actually took two votes on Mr. Wallace. The first was to renew his regular contract, but that failed on a 3-4 vote. There was then a brief executive session, which was followed by a second vote to extend him a probationary contract for one year, but that also failed 3-4.

The minutes also reflect what appears to be an ongoing schism between the board – or some board members – and the school administration with several references to board members wanting more and more information on a variety of topics.

What this all means is still unclear, but the board will hold its next regular meeting April 25, and we intend to be there. We would recommend that other interested parties attend as well to observe for themselves prior to the upcoming school board election.

Meanwhile…

Taxpayers in the Clarendon Independent School District will have a chance to find out more about a proposed tax increase next week during a public meeting on Tuesday, April 30, at 7 p.m.

School officials are proposing increasing the district’s ad valorem tax rate from $1.04 per $100 valuation to $1.17. Because the state has capped the district at the $1.04 rate, the increase would have to be approved by voters in a June 1, 2013, election.

If approved, the new rate would increase taxes on a $50,000 home by $65 per year.

School officials say they need this increase because of a deficit they are facing due to declining enrollment and cuts in state funds, but do they really need it? Superintendent Monty Hysinger says the district will have to “cut programs” if voters don’t approve the measure, but which programs?

Clarendon ISD needs to lay it all on the table before voters go to the polls. What are all the options? Are we really doing all we can to trim spending? Maybe. Maybe not. We don’t yet know the answers to all those questions, but they need to be addressed. Next week is as good a time as any to start looking for answers.