Archives for April 2013

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Hedley school board president Ted Wright was removed from his leadership position last week when trustees voted to reorganize the board ahead of this spring’s elections.

The decision came during a called meeting of the Hedley ISD board on Tuesday, April 16. Trustee Karen Watt said she didn’t believe the board was getting sufficient communication and moved to reorganize the board with Bonnie Brown as president. Watt, Tonja Ruthardt, James Potts, and Dana Bell voted in favor of the motion, Mark Howard opposed the measure, and Brown and Wright abstained.

Boards usually reorganize after an election, and sources tell the Enterprise it is unusual for such a move to take place unless the board make up has changed, such as board officer dying or resigning.

The change of leadership followed a vote last month in which Watt, Ruthardt, Potts, and Brown voted against the superintendent’s recommendation to renew the contract of Athletic Director Darrell Wallace. That prompted concerned citizens on both sides to address the board on April 2, and last week two citizens again addressed the issue. Linda Naylor spoke in support of the board’s decision on Wallace, and Troy Monroe spoke against it.

Both Wallace and his wife, teacher Suzanne Wallace, submitted their resignations at last Tuesday.

The board met in closed session to discuss the contract of Superintendent Bill Sanders, but no action was taken after the closed session. Relations between Sanders and some board members appeared strained as the meeting progressed.

The board voted to table the District Improvement Plan because they felt it did not included changes requested at the March 19 meeting. The board also noted changes requested had not been made to the District Needs Assessment.

Watt asked several questions about the district’s Compensatory Education Plan, and Sanders said, “We can’t nitpick this all day long.”

Watt turned her attention to certain salaries she felt should be included in the report, but Sanders said those figures didn’t belong in that particular report.

“Are you refusing to show us that information?” Watt asked. “No, ma’am,” Sanders replied and said he just wasn’t going to report it there.

The board then also tabled a review of documentation of UIL concussion recognition training because some board members felt information was missing.

In discussing the district’s fund balance, Watt noted that HISD ended FY 2009 with $390,000 and that, after budget cuts and a loss of enrollment, the district ended FY 2012 with $722,218. This was done without a tax increase, and she wanted people to be aware of it because she had heard rumors that the Hedley school would have to close next year.

“This doesn’t mean we’re safe forever,” she said, “but we’re alright.”

Plans continue to take shape for next month’s official lighting of the historic Mulkey Theatre in downtown Clarendon, and there are several opportunities for the community to get involved.

The Mulkey Block Party will be held Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 25, and organizers say they still have plenty of room for volunteers, sponsors, and non-profit vendors.

“Insufficient Funds” of Amarillo will set the mood for the evening, playing music from 6 to 9 p.m. The group was named the Best Band in Amarillo for 2012 by readers of the Amarillo Globe-News. Whether you’re a fan of country or classic rock, there’s a good chance you’ll hear your favorite tune when “Insufficient Funds,” led by Chuck Alexander with Mary Lyn Hailey, Vic Richardson and Dean Yates, hits the stage.

Howardwick musicians and singers Steve Hall and Jesse Lincycomb will open for “Insufficient Funds” at 5 p.m. and to start a great evening of family entertainment, and folks will be encouraged to bring their lawn chairs to sit and enjoy the music and the celebration.

Kids’ activities will be set up by at 5 p.m. and local non-profit food or activity booths will be available for $20 per space.

A classic car show is being sponsored by Herring Bank and will feature vehicles from the 1940s to the 1980s, the years the Mulkey was in operation

Interested business and organizations can also sign up now to sponsor Mulkey commemorative T-shirts for $50 per sponsor.

The next step to “Bring Back the Mulkey” will be to undertake interior renovations, but officials plan to have the theatre itself open during the Block Party for tours so folks can have a peek inside the building before work begins.

Amidst preparations for the Block Party, the CEDC is disposing of more than 600 theatre seats that were moved into the Mulkey as part of an aborted renovation in the 1990s. The seats are free to anyone that wants them, but the offer only lasts until next Monday.

To sign up for booth space or T-shirt sponsorship or for more information about the Block Party or the theatre seats, call Chandra Eggemeyer at the Clarendon Visitor Center at 806-874-2421.

Three CHS senior students are advancing to compete in four events at state competition in Austin as a result of their placements at the Regional UIL academic meet.

Maritta Brady placed 1st in Computer Applications with a perfect score and placed 3rd in Spelling, Lydia Howard placed 3rd in science and was alternate top biology, and Samantha Sanderson placed 3rd in Lincoln Douglas debate at the meet hosted by South Plains College in Levelland April 19.

All girls have been serious UIL competitors since their freshman years.

Maritta will compete at state UIL for the 3rd time. She qualified in spelling her freshman and sophomore years and will compete again in Spelling. She is a first time state qualifier in Computer Applications. Lydia Howard will also journey to state for the third time to compete in Science. She qualified in that event as a sophomore and a junior. Last year she was Headline writing state champion. Samantha Sanderson, who has competed in LD debate her 4 years, will travel to state competition for her first time.

The girls will compete at the University of Texas May 21, 22.

Clarendon College President Phil Shirley announced yesterday that he will step down at the end of 2013, wrapping up a 40-year career in higher education.

Shirley made public his retirement plan at the close of Thursday’s meeting of the CC Board of Regents, and another longtime college employee, Darlene Spier, also submitted her retirement to the board.

“I can’t praise the board enough, especially Chairman John Howard, who accepted everything I recommended,” the president said. “I’m indebted to their support, and my memories of Clarendon College will be nothing but sweet and endearing.”

The president also praised the staff, faculty, and administration for their support of him and of the ideas he said they had collectively embraced.

“There is no one on this campus that I do not hold in the highest regard,” he said.

Shirley has served as CC’s president since January 2011. His career began with six years in teaching before he went into college administration 34 years ago. He served as CC’s Dean of Instruction from 1986 to 1990 and later served as the president of Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, Ark., for 11 years before returning to Clarendon.

His retirement comes at a time when Clarendon College is embarking on new ventures and developing new programs that will expand the college’s offerings in the area – particularly Amarillo – and ultimately boost the economy of Donley County through growth at the home campus.

“It is difficult to leave at a time when Clarendon is experiencing rare opportunities and achievements,” Shirley said. “We’re planting the seeds for someone else to reap, and I’m content with that.”

Shirley will rejoin his family in Arkansas when he steps down, but he will continue to have fond feelings for Clarendon and said he was honored to end his career at CC.

“I love the people of Clarendon,” he said. “They are of such high character that it is hard to compare with any other group. I love the college and it is a great honor to retire here.”

Shirley says he will spend his retirement serving as an interim president when needed around the country and has been offered a job with “Building the Dream,” a grant-funded project which helps colleges re-tool their curriculums to focus on student success.

“I will not sit down in a rocking chair and piddle away the days, but rather I will put my 40-years’ experience to use to benefit other colleges.”

Shirley’s retirement becomes effective December 31, 2013; but before he steps down, another key college employee will leave CC.

Darlene Spier, who has served as the Assistant to the President for the last six presidents of CC, announced to the board that she will retire effective August 31, 2013.

“It has been a blessing and an honor for me to serve Clarendon College for 33 years,” she said.

Shirley said Spier made it possible for him to do his job.

“Darlene has been my right-hand person, a confidant, an inspiration, a historian, and the most knowledgeable person about Clarendon College who exists,” he said. “She has been an outstanding employee.”

 

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has release information for those wanting to help the community of West, Texas, after it was devastated by horrific explosion of a fertilizer plant this week.

Money may be the most efficient and effective donation and serve the most urgent needs in a timely manner. The Red Cross is the point of contact for those donations, which can be made online at http://www.redcross.org.  You can specify that the donation is for the victims of West.

A bank in West has set up an account to serve those who have lost their homes. The bank representative said they will provide receipts stating that donations are being used for these victims. The address is Point West Bank, 200 W. Oak St., West, Texas 76691 or telephone (254) 826-5333.

For those wanting to donate items, here is the latest supply needs:

List of High Priority Items for West, TX Disaster Relief:

Gift cards will be very useful and monetary donations can be made through a number of relief organizations

The following will be in high demand once cleanup starts: Gloves (work and sanitary), Dust masks, Sunscreen, Socks, Sports drink mixes (dry is more efficient to haul than sports drinks), Wet wipes, Hand sanitizer, Beef jerky and other non-perishable snacks that are easily carried, Duct tape, Tarps, plastic sheeting, and cleaning supplies

General supplies that were listed:

School supplies (portions of the school were leveled), Bottled water, Toiletries, Blankets, towels, Baby formula, Baby diapers, Adult diapers, Cots, Urinals, Peroxide, rubbing alcohol, Gauze, medical supplies, Toys, Air mattresses, and pillows.

Pet supplies that were listed: Dog/cat food, Food/water bowls, and Pet crates

Those wanting to donate items can contact their local AgriLife Extension office to determine where to deliver donated items.