Morgan Wheatly

With just hours left for candidates to sign up, it appears no local governments will be having elections this year due to a lack of candidates.

The sign-up deadline is this Friday, February 27; and as the Enterprise goes to press Tuesday afternoon, only one of five governments even have enough candidates to fill all the seats that are up this spring.

The City of Clarendon has the mayor and two aldermen positions, and Mayor Larry Hicks and Alderman Sandy Skelton are running for re-election. Britton Hall has also signed up to run for alderman.

The City of Howardwick has its mayor and two aldermen positions up. Mayor Mike Rowland is running, and so is Alderman Gail Leathers.

Clarendon ISD has two board positions up for election, and only Wayne Hardin had signed up for re-election at press time.

Hedley ISD has two positions up also, and only Dana Bell is seeking re-election.

Three seats are up on the board of the Donley County Hospital District. Wayne Tubbs (Place One) and Melinda McAnear (Place 3) have signed up to run again. Carey Wann in (Place Two) had not filed at press time.

Hedley has three seats on its board of aldermen up this year, and no one has filed for those positions. If at least one person doesn’t sign up there, that board could lose its quorum and be unable to meet.

All local boards are elected on an at-large system, although hospital board members do have to run for a specific place on the board. All positions are two-year terms except school board members, which serve three-year terms.

Applications and more information are available at each entity’s administrative office.

Filing continues through February 27, 2015. This year’s elections will be held on May 9. Local boards will likely cancel uncontested elections.

 

The contract of Clarendon College President Robert Riza was extended when the CC Board of Regents met in regular session last Thursday, February 19.

Regents met behind closed doors for nearly an hour and a half discussing college personnel, evaluating the president, and discussing real property leases in Childress and Amarillo.

When they resumed in open session, regents approved extending Dr. Riza’s contract through June 1, 2018, and approved an increase in salary for the president as well.

The board voted also to approve a three-year lease renewal with the Childress Economic Development Corp. for the college’s center in that city. The new lease will commence on September 1.

Regents considered and then approved enrolling the McConnell Farm, property the college owns in Carson County, in the upcoming federal farm bill.

Faculty rank recommendations were considered and approved with Instructor Kim Jeffery being advanced to Assistant Professor and Interim Instructor Lauraine Paul being advanced in rank to Interim Associate Professor.

The board approved the hiring of Dr. Catherine Rosser as the college’s RN consultant and acknowledged the resignation of accountant Alice Cobb.

In his president’s report, Dr. Riza presented the 2015 employee survey which showed improved satisfaction by employees compared to the survey from 2014.

Riza also updated the board of regents on the actions of the CC Pampa Center Foundation, which is continuing its dual credit scholarships for Gray County high school students on the free and reduced lunch program and is making plans to erect a bell tower on the campus in Pampa.

Vice President of Instruction Roger Schusteriet recognized Linda Rowland to update the board on the success of the developmental math pilot program that was designed and implemented by her and Dr. Jeremy Sain.

 

By Morgan Smith, The Texas Tribune

Texas lawmakers took aim at the state’s standardized testing system Thursday as they considered a proposal to allow high school seniors to graduate even if they fail state exams.

“It’s heart-wrenching, and it’s also insanity when you see the level of achievement these kids are already doing and yet they can’t even pass this test,” said Senate Education Committee Chairman Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) whose panel was hearing testimony on the bill.

About 28,000 students in the class of 2015 – or about one in 10 high school seniors – still must pass one or more of the five required state exams in English I, English II, U.S. history, biology and algebra I.

Senate Bill 149 by state Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo) would allow districts to set up panels made up of educators, counselors and parents to weigh factors like grades, college entrance exam scores and attendance to determine whether a student should graduate despite failing state standardized exams.

Wanda Bamberg, the super-intendent of the Aldine Independent School District, told senators she was “no longer comfortable” holding students back from graduating based on state exams because of doubts she had about the accuracy of their scoring.

She said about 390 seniors in her district still needed to pass a state exam to graduate, and estimated that the legislation would probably help at least 300 of them receive a diploma on time.

With the exception of the U.S. history exam, which usually comes at the end of the junior year, students have typically taken all the tests they need to pass to graduate by the time they finish their sophomore year. If they don’t pass, they have a chance to retake the exams during during any of three additional testing periods each year until they graduate. In May, students in the class of 2015 will have one last chance to take exams they’ve failed.

As they discussed the proposal, a few senators wondered whether it might dissuade students from performing well on state exams.

“I think it’s walking a fine line to disincentivize students from doing their best,” said state Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) after noting she approved of the intention behind the legislation.

State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) asked whether having a panel made up of educators who might be docked in school ratings if a student failed to graduate would be able to make an objective decision.

But Kolkhorst added given the complaints, maybe state exams should be dumped altogether.

“How much do we spend on end-of-course exams? Maybe we should just throw those out and save the money,” she said. “If we are going to give a pathway where we don’t have to pass the end of course exams … I just say why do we need the end of course exams?”

The panel otherwise appeared largely in support of the measure, praising Seliger for bringing it forward. The bill will have to get the support of four-fifths of lawmakers in each chamber to bypass a ban on considering legislation in the first 60 days of the session to take effect in time for this year’s seniors.

On Thursday, after Taylor acknowledged his intent to fast-track the bill to the floor, the committee left the bill pending.

By Sandy Anderberg

The 2015 Clarendon Bronco basketball team finished second to Wellington in District 2A this season at 8-2. The Broncos cleaned up in Wheeler last week to solidify their playoff position. They slammed the Mustangs, 72-38.

Wheeler never had a chance as the Broncos stormed the court in the opening quarter and totally dominated every part of the game. Their huge scoring second quarter sealed the win as they put up 23 points to only 13 for their opponent. The second half of the game was much the same as the Broncos rode out the momentum from the first half of play.

“We came out and played really well on both ends of the floor,” coach Brandt Lockhart said.

“I thought we moved the ball well and did a good job getting offensive rebounds. I was pleased with our effort.”

Cedrick McCampbell, Junior Ceniceros, Colt Wood, and Chance Lockhart all finished in double figures for the night. Lockhart posted another double double adding 10 rebounds. McCampbell helped with six rebounds and Wood and Bryce Grahn had six and four assists on the night. Charles Mason nabbed three steals and Riley Shadle had three.

Scoring: McCampbell 15, Ceniceros 13, Wood 11, Lockhart 10, Shadle 8, Chesson Sims 7, Grahn 4, and Mason 4.

On Saturday, the Broncos played a warm-up game at Randall High Playoff Preview against Groom and defeated them 69-41. The Broncos took control early and held a 24-point lead at the break. Senior Charles Mason lit up the court with 15 points to lead the Broncos on the scoreboard.

Grahn grabbed eight rebounds, and Ceniceros had seven. Grahn also had six assists, and Lockhart had four. Ceniceros had three steals, and Grahn helped with two.

“We had a really good second quarter,” Lockhart said. “We were able to get turnovers and turn them into easy points.”

The Broncos played Gruver Tuesday night in a Bi-District game at Caprock High School in Amarillo. Clarendon came up short in that game, 50-56.

 

Former mayor Tex Selvidge was honored by the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce with the 2014 Saints’ Roost Award for his lifetime of service and commitment to the community during the annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday, February 12.

Man of the Year honors went to Jacob Fangman, and Denise Bertrand was named the Woman of the Year.

Selvidge grew up in Stinnett and joined the Clarendon College family in 1965. He served several positions but is best known for his two-decade stint as Dean of Students, until his retirement in 1998. Through the years he also ran a small business on Kearney Street, served as an adult probation officer, and has been elected to public office.

Selvidge is currently a member of the Clarendon College Board of Regents, but his first experience in politics was with the city. He first served on the Clarendon Board of Aldermen in 1976 and later served two stretches as mayor from 1977 to 1980 and again from 1997 to 2006. He served more time as mayor than any other person since the city was incorporated in 1901.

“I’ve always felt like if you’re going to live somewhere, you ought to give something to it,” Selvidge once said, and he has given Clarendon and Clarendon College more than it can repay.

The Man of the Year for 2014 is Jacob Fangman; and while he hasn’t lived in Donley County very long, he’s already made a name for himself as a go-to guy when help is needed. He moved to Clarendon in 2013 and has been active in practically every community event since then, serving in whatever capacity is needed. He’s a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and the Clarendon Economic Development Board and volunteers with any Lions project and has been a tremendous help with the Mulkey Block Party. He is always pleasant and friendly. He helps where ever he can with St. Mary’s Catholic Church and also helps with the College Ministry on Wednesday nights. Last year, he helped with July Fourth, the chili cookoff, and the courthouse lighting committee.

Denise Bertrand is the Woman of the Year for 2014 and is a life-long citizen of Donley County. In addition to many years serving with the Firebelles, she is known for her work with the Girl Scouts and with St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 2010, she led a Tourism Committee and worked with NewsChannel 10 to put on the Summer Celebration. Later that year, she was elected to serve as the Justice of the Peace for Precincts 3&4. In late 2013, Bertrand presented a vision to then county judge Jack Hall and the Commissioners Court later gave her the approval to pursue that goal. Throughout 2014, she led a the Courthouse Lighting Committee as it raised funds and then executed a plan to put more than 10,000 lights on the trees on the Courthouse Square, making a huge impact on the holiday season, and laying the groundwork for bigger and better things to come.

The Chamber also recognized outstanding youth from Clarendon and Hedley.

The Young Woman of Year from Clarendon is Abby Johnson, the daughter of Scotty and Tina Ferris. She is a member of the National Honor Society, is a member of the CHS student council and has participated in UIL spelling and received Honor “C’s” in French, History, Physics, Algebra, and English. She’s on the honor roll and has participated in band for 4 years. This year she was named to the Senior Honor Band. She’s been a Bronco cheerleader for 4 years and served as head cheerleader. She’s a regional and state qualifier in both track and cross country. Our Young Woman of the Year attends the Church of Christ and gives back to her community through various community service project including the student council’s MS Walk and as a the Sweetheart of the Clarendon Lions Club.

The Young Woman of the Year from Hedley is Kortney Burton, daughter of Blain and Tonya Burton. She’s been active in the One Act Play and National Honor Society. She’s played doubles tennis and received Academic All-District and Fighting Heart honors in basketball. She has been a class officer all four years in high school, was Hedley’s Homecoming Queen this year, and was recognized for having the prettiest eyes her junior year. She has helped with Hedley’s annual chicken barbecue and annual food and toy drives. She can always be seen with her constant companion, KorKee, a seizure alert service dog; and she is a person that young and old look up to as a role model. Our Young Woman of the Year from Hedley is.

The Young Man of the Year from Clarendon is Charles Mason, son of Ronda and Wes Williams. He has been involved in Boy Scouts, advancing to the BSA’s second highest rank of Life Scout, and he has been a member of the CHS Student Council for 4 years, serving as an officer and taking part in community service projects. He’s been very involved in Bronco football, basketball, track, and baseball for 4 years, received All District honors in football and basketball, and was named the Amarillo Globe News Football Player of the Week. He was a state qualifier in the long jump, and he attends the First United Methodist Church youth group.

The Young Man of the Year from Hedley is Wyatt Wheatly, son of Andy and Connie Wheatly. He has been involved in FFA for four years, showing animals and serving as a member of the state qualifying Plant ID team his freshman year. He participates in UIL events, qualifying for regional in History his junior year. He plays football and golf and has been a regional qualifier in tennis and received all district honors in basketball and served as basketball team captain. He’s been a class and FFA officer, and every year helps with the Hedley chicken barbecue, the food drive, and hauls wood for the elderly.

The theme of this year’s Chamber banquet was “Clarendon: Sweetheart of the Panhandle,” and 189 people attended the event at the Bairfield Activity Center. That’s up from 130 last year.

Dr. Don Newbury was the speaker for the evening and blended humor with the message of the importance of giving back to the community. Tables were sponsored by Clarendon College, Clarendon Family Medical Center, The Clarendon Enterprise, Herring Bank, the Hitchin’ Post, and L&L Tax Service. Dr. Newbury selected the Enterprise table as the best table decoration reflecting the banquet theme and the business. The award was then named The Ashlee Cup.

This year’s corporate sponsors were Best Western Red River Inn, The Clarendon Enterprise, Don Stone Signs, Greenbelt Rural Electric Cooperative, GreenLight Gas, HH&R Services, Lowe’s Family Center, and Pioneer General Contracting.

Chamber board members this year are President Roger Estlack, Vice President Derlene Graham, Manager Bonnie Campbell, Bob Weiss, Sharon Braddock, Kim Fowler, Cobette Riza, Tammy Jordan, and Lana Ritchie.