CISD inks appraisal limitation deal with wind farm

Clarendon ISD is the latest local entity to sign an agreement hoping to benefit from a proposed wind farm in northwestern Donley County.

CISD Trustees approved the deal during their June 16 meeting which will limit the value of the wind farm over a period of 13 years and provided for direct payments to the school district.

Superintendent Monty Hysinger said the project under development by Cielo Wind Energy, doing business as Salt Fork Wind, LLC, will be valued at between $120 million and $140 million for the portion that lies in the local school district, but the agreement will limit the appraised value of the project at $5 million.

Clarendon schools would still levy its ad valorem tax on the $5 million, generating $58,500 in new revenue for the district. In addition, Salt Fork would pay the district directly $100 per student per year, a deal worth $40,000 to $45,000 annually.

Hysinger said agreements such as these are tightly controlled by the state and that the district is cautiously optimistic that the wind farm will be built and hopefully bring jobs to the local economy.

In other school business, the board approved the 2014-2015 Student Code of Conduct as well as the campus handbooks and the athletic handbooks as presented.

Trustees approved a motion to continue with the second year of the current three year plan for the Worker’s Compensation Insurance with Claims Administrative Services, Inc.

The board acknowledged the resignation letter from Tyler Ball – Social Studies teacher.

The board met in closed session for 15 minutes before returning to open session and offering teacher contracts to the following: Jefferson Marshall – HS English, Lisa Grahn – JH Technology Applications, Kalen Grahn – Social Studies/Head Girls Basketball Coach, and Sandi Johnson – PE, Generalist 6-8, ISS, Assistant Girls’ Coach.

The board approved the Clarendon CISD Teacher Pay Schedule for 2014-2015 as presented and also authorized purchasing new rubber floor mats for the weight room and building a bus shed to house transportation.