Auzqui tells legislators to be aware of difference with recalibration

In terms of recalibration for Wyoming’s school districts, Charles Auzqui reminded Sheridan County’s legislators that there’s a difference between the real world and what the Legislature’s recalibration formula produces.

Auzqui, who’s superintendent of Sheridan County School District 3 – the Arvada-Clearmont area, spoke during the legislative forum earlier this month.

Auzqui said the recalibration formula sometimes doesn’t generate the funding needed to provide the services that the school districts need. He said funds are needed beyond what’s required to take care of teachers and classrooms.

He said the districts have to be able to take care of their buildings and their support staff, which includes the paraprofessionals and counselors. He said all of those services also have to be funded by Wyoming’s school districts.

Auzqui told legislators that School District 3 over the last couple of years has reduced staff by 11 percent. He said that includes a 19 percent reduction in classified staff.

He said School District 3, which is the smallest school district in the state, might have the highest cost per student in Wyoming, but the district has one of the lowest base salaries in the state.

At the same time, he noted the district was named one of the state’s high-performing K-12 districts.