SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano School District, like many others, faces challenges in securing substitute teachers and paraprofessionals when regular staff members are absent, whether for a day, a week, or an extended period. The district currently relies on an in-house substitute teacher coordinator who reaches out to available substitutes to fill these gaps. However, there are instances where schools have to call upon their regular staff during preparation periods due to a shortage of available substitutes. To alleviate this strain on existing staff, the district is considering the adoption of a service called Teachers on Call, which boasts a broader pool of substitutes from the northeast Wisconsin region.
According to Nicole Hartlaben, Shawano’s human resources director, the Teachers on Call service has proven effective for the Marinette School District. She reported to the district’s finance and facilities committee on October 25th that the initial setup cost for the district would be $2,500, along with a fee for each substitute teacher the agency secures. Hartlaben explained that the system operates similarly to a temporary employment agency, with a 30% markup on the cost of substitutes. The agency manages recruitment, hiring, and handles unemployment tax and workers’ compensation.
Hartlaben emphasized that utilizing Teachers on Call would be akin to a targeted marketing effort, offering the district access to superior resources compared to its current capabilities. The agency already has a pool of substitutes available for Shawano.
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