Turcato announces resignation as CCSD1 superintendent

“Today is my last day with the district. I had an awesome time serving as superintendent of the schools and my departure is nothing but positive,” he wrote. “I am excited for this new adventure, but I will always remember Carbon One. I have developed some close relationships with people here that I will miss tremendously.”

As for a reason to his sudden departure, Turcato said he was “moving on to another opportunity.” He did not reveal where he was going or what he would be doing.

Since taking over the position four years ago, Turcato said the District has raised its graduation rate to 86 percent up from 68 percent and has moved Rawlins Middle School onto the blue ribbon list as one of the eight most improved schools in the state.

Turcato also acknowledged “there were some very tough decisions that needed to be made,” noting the Board “supported me with those tough decisions.”

“Two schools had to be closed, central office needed reorganized, buildings needed reorganized, new personnel were assigned, a curriculum was created and implemented district-wide, and construction was non-stop,” he said.

Overall, Turcato said CCSD1 had grown positively under his leadership.

“I know that (CCSD1) is in a much better spot than it was four years ago,” he said.

That’s something CCSD1 Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Mann reiterated, saying Turcato put the District “in a good position.”

“We want to definitely thank Fletcher for his service to Carbon County School District No. 1,” Mann said. “Fletcher really led us through some difficult times.”

Turning a corner toward the future, Mann said the Trustees expect to meet early on in the coming week to formally accept the resignation and to discuss further actions.

“Normally what Districts do sometimes is designate an interim superintendent. That has been done in a number of districts just for the day-to-day things,” Mann said. “There are other positions at the central office that can absorb some of those day-to-day stuff, as far as signing documents and other decisions. We have a lot of administrative experience in our district office and we would (likely) handle it that way.”

Mann said as the chairman, he would not be taking over the position and said someone must complete the work that is closer to the processes taking place.

In regards to the hiring process of a new superintendent, Mann said the board may go through the Wyoming School Board Association and hopes to hire someone prior to fall.

“They are more than willing to assist districts in Wyoming in a superintendent search,” Mann said. “They can reach out to districts in the state, in the region and kind of get us a pool of applicants that would be interested in the job.”

Mann said the Board would continue to move in the direction of a four day school week and in its’ construction work.

“I am giving a lot of credit to Turcato for the continuation of the great things that we are doing,” Mann said. “From construction, to the whole discussion of different calendars, we expect those things to continue.

“We wish him the best of luck in whatever endeavor he is going to,” Mann said of Turcato. “He is a shaker and a mover, he is a brilliant educational guy and we wish him the best.”