Citizen submits department of education information

Well the statistics are in from the Wyoming Department of Education for the 2022/2023 school year.

How did our School District really do, not what we are told by our school administrators?

Ralph Witters Elementary: School performance rating / small school decision – meeting expectations

Achievement Target Level – below target

Achievement Normal Category – below average

Thermopolis Middle School either meets or exceeds expectations in all categories

Thermopolis High School was overall categorized as meeting expectations although in the category of Post Secondary Readiness, they received a below target score.

The High School Graduation rate was 78.3%. Statewide graduation rate was 81.4%. 13 Wyoming schools posted Graduation rates of 90% or above. Graduation rate is calculated by students expected to graduate on time (4yrs) and is based on students entering 9th grade vs graduated on time. Adjustments are made for transfers in/out of state. We are rated 39th out of 48 school districts.

So where is all of our over $19,000 per student going? After all, it is our tax money. According to the WDE we are paying for 5 Building Administrators (Principals). Interesting since we only have 3 schools. We have 7 Central Office Administrators whereas comparable schools get by with 3. Our overall General Support cost is much higher than comparable schools.

In Summary comparing to 6 similar sized school districts: BigHorn 2, Converse 2, Lincoln 1, Uinta 4, Uinta 6 and Weston 1

•HSC has the highest amount paid for General Support Staff and the highest number of employees

•HSC spends the least for High School teachers

•HSC spends the least per staff member for instructional support

•HSC spends the most for Building Administrators (Principals)

•HSC has the highest number of Clerical Support but pays them on the average second to lowest

•HSC spends the least on Vocational Education Staff.

•HSC spends the second least on the average for teachers in total

•HSC has the highest paid Superintendent.

Regards, Bob Aguiar

Editors note: This information was researched and compiled by the writer and/or his associates. Letters to the editor are considered the opinion of the writer.