Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Volume 118, Number 46 8 Pages $1.00 www.HerefordBRAND.com
17
days 'till Christmas
Make Newspapers Great Again
Achieve 3000 aids student reading By Chris Aguilar BRAND Staff Writer Focused on increasing reading scores, Hereford Independent School District (HISD) and the staff at Hereford High School (HHS) are working together to increase student reading levels. One of the methods being employed is a program called Achieve 3000. According to HHS officials, the program provides cloud-based instruction for nonfiction reading and writing that’s tailored to each student’s reading level. HISD adopted the program during the 2013-14 school year at Hereford Junior High (HJH) after research indicated Achieve 3000 was the best method available to improve reading scores. The program’s success led to it being added to the high school’s English-language arts curriculum. “Our goal is to improve overall scores,” HHS principal Richard Sauceda said. “Achieve 3000 is perfect because it accommodates each student.” While HHS administrators have reported limited success with Achieve 3000 in English classes, the concept is also being used in history classes. Freshmen beginning world geography in 2014 initiated the history portion and saw it follow them to world history as sophomores. Now juniors, the students are using the program in U.S. history. According to the Achieve 3000 website, college- and career-ready students should be reading at a 1300 level. However, statistics show the average 12th-grader is reading at a 910-1200 level. For students still in the process of learning English and those who struggle PLEASE SEE READ | 2
Vehicle bid OK a déjà vu
Tis the season
By John Carson BRAND Managing Editor
BRAND/John Carson
The holiday season officially got underway Monday with the annual Hereford Christmas Celebration of Lights. The parade, which featured an array of floats and lighted vehicles, made its way down Park Avenue and Main Street before festivities culminated at Dameron Park and Hereford Community Center.
There was a distinct element of familiarity to a portion of the Nov. 28 regular meeting of the Deaf Smith County Commissioners Court. In fact, that familiarity arguably extended into the nebulous region that is referred to as déjà vu. There was no denying that one agenda item was effectively – from beginning to end – the same as one from the Nov. 14 meeting. It was not effectively the same. It was the same…again. While the situation caused little more than a raised eyebrow at the meeting, commissioners did not need much time to approve a purchase bid for a new Deaf Smith County Sheriff’s Office (DSCSO) vehicle. The court accepted a bid of $32.849.28 from Whiteface Ford for the vehicle. The action was a vehiclebid acceptance rerun of an earlier measure in that all specifications, requirements and options on the bids were identical. “This is the exact same type vehicle that was accepted at the last meeting,” Deaf Smith County Sheriff J. Dale Butler said. “We had wanted to purchase them both at the same time, but situations prevented that.” Interestingly, the reason why the purchases were made in two separate actions as opposed to one had nothing to do with funding or financing. It all revolved around legal governmental protocol and timing. Commissioners approved the letting of bids for a DSCSO vehicle at its early October meeting. While the formal bid notice set a Nov. 14 opening date of bids, it advertised bids for only one vehicle. Discussion following the notice’s approval showed a PLEASE SEE BID | 2
Renovations preceding relocations By Chris Aguilar BRAND Staff Writer Driving past the 25 Mile Avenue-15th Street intersection, one cannot help but notice activity on the corner. The auto repair shop that once tuned engines and changed tires has now turned into an unrecognizable work zone. The building’s interior has been gutted and the exterior has been completely refinished – most noticeably replacing what once was metal with glass windows. The work crew is from CMS Property Management of Lubbock, a commercial real estate development company that specializes in developing office space and retail centers. CMS began renovations four months ago on a project that could be completed as early as midMarch. “We have been working
BRAND/Chris Aguilar
Renovations on a former automotive shop at the 25 Mile Avenue-15th Street intersection has replaced a solid front with glass windows in anticipation of the relocation of Snap Fitness and reportedly state agencies. hard at this site and are hoping to be finished within three months,” CMS crew leader Conrad Alvarado said. “It all really depends on the weather.” However, the exact result of that work is somewhat unclear. Hereford Economic Development Corporation executive director Michael Kitten said CMS is a the same company that built
the new Department of Motor Vehicles facility on 15th Street. “CMS purchases and/ or builds structures, then lease them out to the state for state agencies to operate out of,” Kitten said. “From what I hear, the building will house three businesses.” Kitten added that Snap Fitness and the local state Department of Family
Services offices are two of the known occupants with a third reportedly being sought. After being in town for seven years, Snap Fitness’ relocation was a matter of growing with the community. “We need a bigger space, so we can offer more to the community,” Snap general PLEASE SEE RENOVATE | 3
Advertisers! 'Letters to Santa' is near!
One of our largest and most viewed special sections of the year ‘Letters to Santa’ will be distributed December 24th. Don’t miss out this year. Get your ads in early to show your support for Hereford children as they write letters to Santa. Also a good place to run your Merry Christmas ads! Deadline for ad space is 5:00 p.m., Monday, Dec. 12th. All ads must be approved and ready to print by 5:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 16th.
Call the Hereford BRAND at (806) 364-2030 to reserve your ad space today!