
Close call

The Clarendon Enterprise - Spreading the word since 1878.
By Sandy Anderberg
Clarendon senior Harrison Howard took the mound in the Broncos’ Bi-District opener against West Texas in Amarillo at Palo Duro High last week and made easy work of the Comanches shutting them out 8-0.
Howard went wire to wire from the mound posting 16 strikeouts in the game. It took Howard 100 pitches in the seven innings which consisted of 63 pitches in the strike zone.
In their first at bat, Easton Frausto got on board first on a single to left field. Jared Musick grounded out before Levi Gates singled to left field and scored Howard. A quiet second inning led to one score and the Broncos were on top 3-0.
Another two runs were collected in the fourth when Howard slammed a triple that scored Mason Sims and Musick. The Broncos went wild in the fifth inning as they took advantage of several errors made by WT and left the inning with three more runs to get the win.
Along with his triple, Howard had one single, three RBIs, one run and a stolen base. Frausto had two singles, one RBI, one run, and one stolen base, while Levi Gates added a single, RBI, and one run. Bryce Williams and Mason Allred collected one run each and Allred had one RBI.
The big test came in the second game. With a game up in the best two out of three, the Broncos were in a good spot, but the Comanches were not finished and began the game full on. They were able to gain the early edge scoring two runs in the first inning on a double and a line drive single to center field. Musick got the call and was able to strike out the next two batters to end the inning.
A determined West Texas team went on to score two runs in the next inning, then proceeded to stop the Broncos after only four batters in the third.
It was the bottom of the fifth before the Broncos began to turn the game around in their favor. Allred, Williams, and Grant Haynes were hit by pitches to load the bases. Sims was able to slam a hit to the shortstop who turned a double play to pick off Williams at second. Allred was able to reach home plate to put another run on the board. With WT leading by five, things looked bleak for the Broncos. With a possible game three on their minds, the Broncos went to work to avoid a third game in the series.
In their next at bat, Gates’ single to right field advanced Musick and put a Frausto run on the board. With bases loaded, Haynes reached base on an error. With two outs and down to runs, the Broncos turned up the heat at the plate with a walk, a Shane Hagood single, and two more base on balls. Howard was able to send a hard-hit ground ball to left field that scored Hagood and Frausto to take the lead.
Gates then knocked down a single to center that scored Musick for the final run of the game. Frausto sealed the win from the mound with a WT ground-out, strike-out, a walk, and another ground out for the win.
The Broncos will play Sudan in the Area Round in Floydada Thursday, May 9, at 5 p.m. Game two will be held on Friday, May 10, with a game three immediately following if needed.
By Sandy Anderberg
Things did not go the way the Lady Broncos wanted in their Area games with Colorado City in Lubbock last weekend.
The ladies were defeated in the first game 11-1 and dropped the second game 3-9. Kennadie Cummins was on the mound for the Lady Broncos. She posted three strike outs while allowing 11 runs on eight hits.
Elliot Frausto posted the first out of the game when Colorado City popped it up at the short stop position, but a couple of early errors allowed the Lady Wolves the opportunity to begin to put runs on the board. When the inning was done, C-City had collected seven runs.
The Lady Broncos did not quit and with two outs, Gracie Wilkins slammed a line drive to center field for a single that scored Elyza Rodriguez from second base. The top of the second started off with a solo homerun from the Lady Wolves. That was the only score the ladies gave up in that inning as they cleaned up the errors from the inning before.
The Lady Broncos were able to turn a double play when the next batter hit a bunt that K. Cummins grabbed from her pitching position and tossed to Maloree Wann on first base who was able to nab the runner. However, Colorado City was able to put the game away in the fifth inning. The Lady Broncos finished their season at a respectable 27 wins, five losses, and one tie.
No details were available for Game 2 at press time.
Voters turned out in large numbers Saturday and defeated $11.7 million in bonds for Clarendon CISD and turned down two of the three sales tax districts proposed by Donley County.
CCISD voters rejected all three bond proposals on the school ballot. Proposition A was defeated: 244 “For” to 356 “Against.” It would have allowed $1.8 million for safety and security upgrades and the school as well as two new buses. Proposition B was defeated: 194 “For” to 411 “Against.” It would have provided$6.9 million in improvements at Bronco Stadium. Proposition C was turned down 217 “For” and 384 “Against.” It would have funded $3 million for a new vocational ag building.
CCISD voters also re-elected Wayne Hardin to the Board of Trustees and selected Taylor Shelton to be a new board member. Vote totals for the two board seats were: Hardin 304, Shelton 472, and Ken McIntosh 117.
City of Hedley residents re-elected Mayor Trisha Chambless over challenger Calvin Holland, 36-20. Incumbent Aaron Hanes will be joined by John Pierce on the city council as the top choices of Hedley voters for two seats on the city council. Vote totals were Hanes 33, Pierce 30, and Joe Pafume 14.
Hedley voters also turned down the creation of County Assistance District #2, which would have levied a 1.0 percent sales tax in the city to help fund the Donley County Sheriff’s Department. The proposal was defeated 11 “For” and 42 “Against.”
The City of Howardwick, however, approved the creation of County Assistance District #1 by a vote of 40 “For” and 12 “Against.” That district would also levy a 1.0 percent sales tax to assist law enforcement.
Rural Donley County voters narrowly turned down levying a 2.0 percent sales tax in unincorporated areas of the county and defeated creation of County Assistance District #3 by a tally of 101 “For” to 111 “Against.”
A lot of information has been circulated promoting the issuance of $11.7 million in bonds for Clarendon CISD. But as voters head to the polls this Saturday, May 4, it’s important that everyone understands some very important issues that have not been addressed.
General questions about the tax burden and the overall impact of the bond proposals were covered in the editorial printed in this week’s Enterprise and labeled “Part One” online. A closer look at each proposition is warranted, however.
Remember, as a voter, you can mark your ballot “for” or “against” any one or all three of these propositions. That’s up to the individual. As you consider each one, here are some facts that have not been presented by the out-of-town marketers of the bonds.
PROPOSITION A
Proposition A asks for $1.8 million for safety and security upgrades at the school as well as two new buses. We all want our schools to be safe. Everyone can agree on that. But we must be reasonable and prudent, and we don’t really want to see our kids in a “maximum security” education compound.
Information was distributed a couple of weeks ago that basically says anyone can get into the high school and go anywhere anytime. That is totally not true. The high school is secure. The district says it wants to have a secure vestibule to receive visitors before they enter the building, and they want to add something onto the front of the 1908 landmark high school. What’s that going to look like? More on that later, but why destroy the most architecturally interesting part of the entire Clarendon CISD campus when there are other ways to address this issue.
The high school has vestibules on the north and south sides. If you really want a super secure way to check-in high school visitors, simply make them enter through the Administration Building just a few feet away. The handful of visitors needing to access the high school elevator (and there’s only one despite promises from the out-of-town marketers to fix the “elevators”), can be given a pass to get in the front door. That fixes the security issue for zero dollars.
Regarding transportation, the school proposes buying two luxury travel buses at a cost of about $400,000 each. That seems extravagant. Those in favor of it want our kids to roll up in style ready to compete, but our athletic teams seem to perform very well rolling up in a yellow school bus. The district does need new buses, but we don’t need the top-of-the-line buses. And furthermore, the school has money in the bank they could use for buses.
PROPOSITION B
This is the big one. Proposition B asks for $6.9 million in improvements at Bronco Stadium including accessibility improvements, new home and visitor bleachers, a new press box, and $3.3 to 3.5 million for the field house and to renovate restrooms and the concession stand. Consider each of these carefully.
Most local folks haven’t spent much time in the visitor stands and don’t really care about those. Based on places we’ve had to sit in other towns, it is apparent other schools don’t care much about visitor comfort either. If we need to make some accommodations for ADA, that’s one thing, but entirely new visitor stands will cost us about $500,000 according to numbers mentioned at board meetings.
On the home side, the school wants to spend about $900,000 to get rid of the new press box (about 15 years old) and existing seating and install the big metal bleacher/press box combo structures that all the cool schools have now. That is wasteful and unnecessary and will destroy part of the character of Bronco Stadium. Those home stands are built into the contour of the hillside and are literally part of the stadium. Groups of folks congregating behind the last row of seats to visit and watch the game will be a thing of the past. And what happens to the concrete step that we all grew up with in front of the stands? It’s a safe place where little kids can act “grown up” by sitting by themselves with their friends to watch the game or cheer with the cheerleaders. It’s almost a rite of passage when you’re finally old enough to go sit there. Are we ready to give that up? We’ve already lost our “H.” Let’s not sacrifice anymore traditions.
We need better accessibility for the stadium, no doubt. But ramping, walkways, and handrails can be installed and accessible seating can be added to the home stands on the front and back rows without spending anywhere near $900,000.
We also need new restrooms, and our concession stand can use some attention. Renovating or expanding the field house is also needed. The school, however, is very vague on what it wants to do with $3.3 to $3.5 million. It might renovate, it might expand, or it might build a whole new facility just beyond the west endzone. We just don’t know for sure, and they can’t tell us. More on that later. One thing we do know, however, is that Memphis is building a nice new 5,000 square-foot, $2.4 million field house right now without a bond and didn’t have to mess with their existing stands to do it. How’d that happen? They had a family who left the school about $200,000 and they took out a loan for the rest. Oh, and they did some ramping and sidewalks a few years ago to deal with ADA issues. Easy peasy.
Also, go look at the south rock wall of Bronco Stadium, especially from the entrance to the concession stand. It’s clear that some stone conservation work is needed pretty quickly, but that’s not part of this $6.9 million request. The school says they might be able to address it… if there’s money left over.
PROPOSITION C
The final question before voters asks for $3 million for a new vocational ag building. This is the only proposition that actually goes to improving education, but some folks are not entirely convinced that a new facility is warranted. What exactly will we get for $3 million? More on that later. The school’s case wasn’t helped last week, when the out-of-town marketers gave year-old photos to the bond’s social media team, which showed the ag shop as a disorganized mess with trash on the floor. After an uproar, new photos were quickly taken to show what the new teachers have done with the place. The school also says the cinderblock walls of the ag building are deteriorating, but no pictures of that have been posted. If the walls are in such bad shape, then why does the school plan to keep the ag building for storage? Tear the thing down if it’s that bad. Also, the out-of-town marketers like to point out that the ag building – and the field house for that matter – were built in 1961, like that’s the worst thing ever. Buddy, I’ve got news for you, 90 percent of our entire school campus was built in 1961 or earlier, but school administrations have done a pretty darn good job keeping things up.
MORE ON THAT LATER…
Many voters are curious about what exactly the school will or won’t build if the propositions are approved. What will things look like, where will they be, what features will they have? Overall, the school doesn’t have renderings, drawings, or even sketches. They say they don’t want to spend the money on the architect if voters aren’t going to approve the project. If the voters approve the bonds, the architect will get to work and have something to look at in a few months. But how are voters supposed to know what they are considering without a clear picture? What if the voters say yes, and then the architect comes back with something that looks like Fido’s ass ? It’s too late to turn back then.
For decades after the 1960s campus was built, Clarendon CISD followed a similar architectural style when adding on or building new buildings. The addition to the home economics room and cafeteria expansion, the E-Wing addition, and the Band Hall all very much looked like they belonged on the CCISD campus. Likewise, the renovation of the high school in 1990 was very careful to maintain the historic look of the 1908 building. But then starting in the late 1990s with the new Bronco Gym, we started getting pretty free. The gym looks like nothing else on campus, the weight room building was next and was an entirely different color of metal from the trim on the gym, and then what became Laura’s Legacy Center was completely different again. (Sidenote: The LLC sitting unused with a sun-damaged sign is a disgrace to the memory of Laura Hommel and is a good example that we should do a better job of taking care of what we already have.) The architect who expanded and renovated the administration building blended three or four styles to try to make it all make sense and then scabbed it on to the north end of the high school. Most recently, the south entrance of the high school was closed in with a vestibule of a yet another design.
So given all that, “What’s it going to look like?” is a very valid question. Taxpayers and alumni all ought to get to see what’s being proposed before it’s decided.
Overall, the bond propositions feel rushed. Voters only found out what was being proposed within a few weeks of the measure being put on a ballot, and very little notice was given when community meetings were held before the board pulled the trigger. There needs to be some community input on these issues. Talk to parents and find out what’s important to them about their kids’ education. What would they like to see? What can we do to make our kids more successful in the classroom, more successful in college, and more successful in life? Two out of three of these bonds don’t even come close to addressing those questions. Supporters of the bond want you to vote “yes” because “our kids are worth it.” Our kids are priceless, but there is nothing wrong with saying “no” to requests for things that aren’t needed or are too expensive. Parents all know that; we do it all the time.
Vote “no” this Saturday. And then let’s start over with a conversation about what we need and what we want to do to give our kids the best opportunities for a quality education.
Voters are going to the polls this Saturday to decide several important elections including whether Clarendon CISD should be allowed to issue $11.7 million in bonds. Every voter should be interested in these elections, and Clarendon school taxpayers in particular should pay attention and understand what’s being put before them. Voters should also understand one important fact. It’s okay to vote “No” on the bonds. Being against the bonds doesn’t mean you’re against the school and certainly not against our kids. You can be against the bond and still be for our kids… all our kids.
For three years, I’ve attended a variety of school functions in the Clarendon High School Auditorium. Maybe it’s the old electrician in me, but something that always catches my eye is the fact the covers are missing on the electrical outlets on the front of the stage. Less than $2 and a screwdriver would fix that, but it remained undone the last time I was there a few weeks ago.
Some of the stage lights don’t work in the CHS Auditorium, the sound system doesn’t work, several chairs are either broken or have been removed entirely, and overall, the place looks like it hasn’t had any care or touch-ups since it was built in 1990. But the auditorium isn’t on the list of improvements the school wants to make.
In fact, the only specific facilities mentioned by the school are the entrance of the high school, the ag building, and the football stadium. So elementary and junior high students won’t see anything specific from the bonds (other than perhaps some undefined repairs and ADA improvements); and more broadly speaking, the only students who will really get a tangible benefit from the bonds are football players and ag students. Other students might occasionally get to ride on a fancy new activity bus.
Of the $11.7 million the school is asking for, only the $3 million ag proposition will actually go to improving education. The ag program has made great strides under the current teachers; but if you attended any board meetings earlier this year, it was clear that some parents are not sold on the need for a new ag building.
Let’s consider some facts that haven’t been put before you by the out-of-town marketing machine which is pushing for approval of the bonds and which is funded by those who stand to benefit from passage of the bonds.
The school and those in favor of the bond are working hard to tell voters this $11.7 million loan will likely cost many people very little or nothing at all. They point to senior citizens having their taxes frozen and homesteads with a $100,000 school tax exemption as reasons to vote for the bond. The fact is that taxes will go up for somebody. The school tax rate will increase from about 83 cents per $100 valuation to $1.15, wiping out a good chuck of the tax savings the Legislature has created in the last few years.
In a breakdown of who pays school taxes in CCISD, the finance company supporting the bond likes to say that homeowners and landowners will pay less than half the cost of the bond. The rest will be paid for by utility companies and by “commercial and industrial” taxpayers they say are “from out of town.” But all of our local businesses are considered “commercial and industrial” and even a business that is owned elsewhere employs local people and contributes to our community.
Another fact, even if you’re not paying tax now because your homestead isn’t worth $100,000, you soon could be. Citizens have started getting updated valuations from the Donley Appraisal District, and it sure would have been nice to have had those before early voting started. One particular three-bedroom rent house has gone up in value this year by $16,467 and has increased in value 66 percent since 2019 to a total of $98,802. If you’re using the school’s tax calculator to figure out how much this bond will cost you, remember that’s just the current value. Appraised values will continue to go up.
The 32-cent tax rate to pay the bond is built on current evaluations with farmers paying a good chunk of it. The problem is that our ag values are bolstered by irrigated farmland and the groundwater levels are dropping. The highest valued irrigated crop land is $879 per acre. Dry crop land of the category used as an example by the bond company is worth $150 per acre. If a significant portion of irrigated farmland converts to dryland in the next ten or 15 years, that will have a real impact on the tax base and the result will be a higher tax rate to make the bond payment.
The bond backers say a “Yes” vote will help recruit new employees to the school and new families to the community. No one really moves to a community because the school has a nice bus or new bleachers. People and businesses do make decisions about relocating though by looking at the quality of education available and what tax rates are.
Clarendon CISD needs some improvements to be sure. The problem with this bond request is very much like the health care reform bill in 2010 when Nancy Pelosi said, “We have to pass the bill before you can see what’s in it.” CCISD is long on wants, shorter on needs, and vague on details. The taxpayers don’t know for sure what will be built or what it will look like exactly. Are there any renderings of what a “secure vestibule” will look like on the front of the high school? Are we building a new field house or renovating or expanding the old one? Are we going to tear down the old ag building if it’s in such bad shape, and are there any drawings of what a new ag building will feature? What exactly will the school do with $11.7 million? They will get back to us on the details after the bond is passed. No, voters should know up front.
Voters should turn down the bond propositions and give the school time to get community feedback and determine what exactly is needed and how we can do the most to improve education. The kids and the taxpayers deserve that much respect.
Voters will head to the polls Saturday to decide three sales tax proposals and a Clarendon school bond issue, as well as determine who will serve on the Clarendon CISD board and the Hedley City Council.
Clarendon CISD voters will be deciding the fate of $11.7 million in bonds, which will be on the ballot in three questions. Proposition A will seek $1.8 million for safety and security upgrades and the school as well as two new buses. Proposition B would fund $6.9 million in improvements at Bronco Stadium including accessibility improvements, new home and visitor bleachers, a new press box, and $3.3 to 3.5 million for a new field house and to renovate restrooms and the concession stand. Proposition C would provide $3 million for a new vocational ag building.
Approval of all three bond propositions would raise the CCISD ad valorem tax rate by an estimated 32 cents per $100 valuation, and the term of the bonds would be 30 years. The current tax rate is about 83 cents per $100.
Clarendon CISD voters also have three people running for two positions on the Board of Trustees. Incumbent Wayne Hardin and challengers Ken McIntosh and Taylor Shelton.
CCISD Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Donley County Courthouse Annex and at Howardwick City Hall for residents of that city.
Three ballots will be taken on the proposed creation of County Assistance Districts in the City of Howardwick, the City of Hedley, and in the unincorporated areas of the county for the purpose of raising funds to support the Donely County Sheriff’s Office.
If approved, the districts covering the cities of Howardwick and Hedley would raise sales taxes there by one cent, and the district covering rural Donley County would levy a two-cent sales tax. The new districts would be governed by the Commissioners Court.
County Assistance Districts Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for rural residents at the Donley County Courthouse Annex, for Hedley residents at the First Baptist Church in Hedley, and for Howardwick residents at Howardwick City Hall.
Hedley city voters will also choose between incumbent Trisha Chambless and challenger Calvin Holland for mayor and will choose two of three candidates running for city council – incumbent Aaron Hanes and challengers Joe Pafume and John Pierce.
City of Hedley Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Hedley.
For election results Saturday night, follow Facebook.com/TheEnterprise or check ClarendonLive.com,
Hedley ISD has announced the salutatorians and valedictorians for the Classes of 2024 and 2028 and set plans for high school and eighth grade graduations.
Eighth grade graduation will be at 10:00 a.m. in the HHS library on May 16 with the high school graduation being at 7:00 p.m. in the HHS library on May 16.
The Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 is Liam Branigan. Liam is the son of Shayne and Angela Branigan. He is graduating with a GPA of 97.28 or a 3.975 on a four-point GPA.
Liam has been an active member of Hedley’s extra-curricular programs while participating in football, UIL academics, track, and One Act Play.
Liam has received many honors during his four years as a Hedley Owl. He has been named to both A and A/B honor rolls and is a current member of National Honor Society. While in One Act Play, he received awards for Best Lighting and Sound Crew. He holds state records in the United State Powerlifting Association in the 13-18-year-old division.
Liam has been named to the Dean’s List at Clarendon College for his dual credit scores. Liam has also been chosen as a member of the Collegiate National Honor Society and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
His hobbies include enjoying time with friends, weight training, and running. Liam plans on attending WTAMU as an engineer major working toward a mechanical, civil, or electrical engineer degree. His future goals include becoming an engineer and discovering his purpose as a man as he makes progress toward becoming stable and self-sufficient.
The Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 is Ashlee Holmes. Ashlee is the granddaughter of Christie Carter. She has a GPA of 92.77 and an average of 3.781 on a four-point scale.
Ashlee has been active in extra-curricular activities while attending HHS. She has participated in basketball, track, cross country, cheerleading, UIL academics, and OAP.
Ashlee has been honored with being on the homecoming court and is a member of the A/B Honor roll.
Her hobbies include hanging out with friends. Liam plans on going to Clarendon College and then transferring to WTAMU where she plans on getting her Elementary Education degree.
The Valedictorian for the Class of 2028 is Sebastian Garcia. Sebastian is the son of Monecia Villarreal and holds a 94.88 GPA. Sebastian has participated in football, basketball, tennis, track, cross country, UIL academics, and OAP.
His hobbies include playing sports, spending time with family, and helping his grandfather on the ranch. Sebastian’s goals are becoming the high school valedictorian, striving to do better in sports, and gaining a sport scholarship to attend college.
The Salutatorian for the Class of 2028 is Cristina Ros Silvestre. She is the daughter of Basilio Ros and Manuela Silvestre. She has a GPA of 94.34.
Her school activities include FFA contests, OAP, UIL academics, tennis, basketball, and track. Cristina’s hobbies include drawing, photography, and baking. She plans on attending college to become an anesthesiologist and going to culinary school.
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