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Craig — More professionals, but no additional funding.

That's the offer the Colorado Department of Education has made to school districts throughout the state.

Under its "Forward Thinking" initiative, the Department of Education is taking applications for educational service providers to help close achievement gaps between students of different races and income brackets.

The providers can range from individuals and community agencies to commercial venders and private companies, all which will specialize in serving a different state region.

These individuals and agencies must have a "proven track record" of closing achievement gaps, the Department of Education reported, and will help districts develop curriculum and assessments.

These providers will be listed on the Department of Education's Web site in May, when districts can begin requesting their aid for the next school year.

Providing more staff and support, however, is not the sole solution, said Pete Bergmann, Moffat County School District superintendent.

"I think we have in-district expertise to develop high-quality interventions for kids," he said.

Meeting the needs of students caught in the achievement gap is part of the district's Adequate Yearly Progress goals. Last year, the district met 78 of its 79 goals, or about 98 percent.

"We've made great progress," Bergmann said.

He believes the crux of the issue lies elsewhere.

"I think we'd have a much greater impact if they gave us funding instead of experts," Bergmann said. "It takes a lot more resources to close (achievement) gaps than what's allocated by state and federal funding."

The district receives about $30,000 from state and federal funding for its English Language Learner programs each year.

But, the average amount the district spends for these services annually is about 10 times that amount, Bergmann said, adding that most of the additional costs come from staff salaries.

Funding for educating the district's "at-risk" students is determined largely by the number of the district's students eligible for free and reduced lunch programs. The district doesn't receive separate funds for these students, Bergmann said, but their quantities figure into how much money the state will grant the district annually.

To date, Moffat County remains the lowest per-pupil funded district in the state, Bergmann said.

Jill Hafey, a district ELL coordinator, said there's rarely enough funding to accomplish all the goals the education system sets for itself.

"Based on what I know, education needs funding," she said.

Still, the funding for ELL education is sufficient to cover the district's current needs, she said.

Hafey believes the current staffing also meets the district's needs.

"The teachers and staff we have right now - they're pretty on top of their game," she said.

The district maintains six ELL staff members, including teachers and paraprofessionals.

But, if current trends hold true in coming years, the situation could change.

"Our (student) numbers are high right now," Hafey said, adding that the district has the most ELL students in an area encompassing all of Moffat County and parts of Routt and Rio Blanco counties, Hafey said.

She predicts that those numbers will increase every year.

If and when Hafey's caseload becomes heavier, she'll welcome help from other sources, including the Department of Education, she said.

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com