Ben Estlack

The Clarendon CISD Board of Trustees unanimously rejected a policy that would have required a daily period for prayer and the reading of the bible or other religious texts on each campus during its regular meeting February 9.

The vote was required by Texas Senate Bill 11, which mandated that each school district board consider adopting such a policy and also outlined several provisions that would be required in the policy.

CCISD Trustee Taylor Shelton, who is an attorney, distributed copies of the statute so the board could understand completely what it was being asked to consider.

“I fully support prayer, and our students have the right pray anytime,” Shelton said. “This requires a specific period to allow prayer. We can allow anyone to participate without a signed statement, and we have to have expressed waiver from the parents giving up their student’s right to sue under the First Amendment.”

Shelton called SB 11’s suggested policy “a landmine,” noting that civil rights groups would come after the policy and that the district does not have resources to fight it. But he especially drew attention to the waiver.

“If we have to get parents to waive their student’s Constitutional rights – which they legally cannot do, it should give us pause,” Shelton said.

Trustee Jeff Robertson said he felt like the separation of church and state was vital and also said he did not know why the school would want to be bound by the requirements of the statute’s proposed policy.

Board members discussed the burden of keeping up with student permission slips as well as where such a period of prayer might be held that would be in accordance with the proposed policy. Discussion also mentioned that the policy would open the door for a wide range of types of prayers for different religions.

Board president Wayne Hardin also recalled the old saying, “As long as there are history tests, there will always be prayer in school.”

Three local governments are set to hold elections this spring after the candidates’ filing period closed last Friday, February 13.

The City of Clarendon, the Hedley school district, and the Clarendon College District all drew enough candidates to hold contested elections.

The City of Howardwick, the Donley County Hospital District, and the Clarendon school district only had incumbents file for re-election and are poised to cancel their spring elections. Information on candidates was not available from the City of Hedley at press time.

Clarendon will have five candidates on the ballot and one write-in candidate for three positions on the city council. Alderman Tom Thompson is running for re-election. He will be joined on the ballot by Ralph Graves, Pharabie Shadle, Brent Knowles, and Ken McIntosh.

Alderman Chris Topliff was automatically removed from office last Wednesday, February 11, when he started to file for re-election and was discovered he was not a registered voter in the city at the time of his appointment. Topliff has gotten registered now and will be a write-in candidate.

Clarendon College has three candidates for three regents positions. Incumbents Chris Matthews and Dr. Guy Ellis will be joined on the ballot by challenger George W. Hall. Carey Wann will run as a write-in candidate.

Hedley CISD has four candidates for three full terms on the board of trustees. Incumbents Shauna Herbert, Tangela Copelin, and Troy Monroe will be joined on the ballot by April Pierce. Shawn Willoughby is also running to continue to serve in an unexpired term.

Write-in candidates still had until 5 p.m. February 17 to sign-up for the election as the Enterprise went to press.

Elections are scheduled to be held Saturday, May 2, 2026.

Clarendon College has released its spring 2026 enrollment snapshot, showing steady overall enrollment growth and continued expansion in dual credit and distance education participation across the service area.

As of the February 4, 2026, CC recorded 1,463 total enrolled students, compared to 1,411 students at the same point in spring 2025, an increase of 52 students year over year.

Enrollment in Clarendon was 248, down from 273 last year. The Pampa center was 86 students, down from 104, and Childress was at 35 students, down from 43. The Amarillo center had 43 students, down from 65.

Distance Education, however, had 168 students, up from 137 last spring. Distance Education students are those taking classes strictly online.

One of the strongest areas of growth remains the CC’s Dual Credit program. Spring 2026 dual credit enrollment reached 794 students, up from 707 students last spring — an increase of 87 students. This growth reflects continued collaboration with regional high schools and expanded access to early college opportunities for students.

Total instructional activity remains strong, with spring 2026 generating 298,975 contact hours, demonstrating sustained academic engagement across campus locations, centers, and online delivery.

CC officials attribute the enrollment trends to focused outreach, strengthened school partnerships, and flexible course delivery options designed to meet students where they are.

Clarendon College continues to support student success through accessible pathways, workforce programs, transfer preparation, and expanded dual credit offerings throughout the region.

The Clarendon CISD Board of Trustees formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Rick Teran during a called session February 12.

Teran told the Enterprise he was resigning on February 6 due to what he called “innuendo” being spread in the community related to him serving in the dual role of head girls basketball coach, all of which he said was untrue.

Trustees met in closed session for an hour and 42 minutes, and for most of that time Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn and School Resource Officer and Donley County Deputy Kelly Hill to report the findings of an investigation of the former superintendent. Federal Programs Coordinator Jen Bellar was in the closed session as well.

The contents of the sheriff’s report were not made public, and Blackburn confirmed Tuesday that no criminal charges have been filed against Teran.

Teran’s resignation becomes effective February 27. He has been on administrative leave with pay since February 6.

CCISD Board President Wayne Hardin said another called meeting would be held Thursday, February 19, at 7 p.m. to discuss starting the search for a new superintendent.