School Board highlights substitute fill rate challenges at Cromry Middle and Sauk Trail Elementary

In a recent meeting of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board, discussions centered on the critical issue of substitute teacher fill rates across local schools. As board members reviewed data tables, it became clear that while many schools have seen improvements, two schools—Cromry Middle School and Sauk Trail Elementary—are facing significant challenges.

The data revealed that Cromry's fill rate plummeted from 88% to 73%, while Sauk Trail dropped from 82% to 74%. These declines have raised concerns among board members, who emphasized the need for targeted support at these schools. In contrast, Glacier Creek, which was previously struggling, showed remarkable improvement, increasing its fill rate from 54% to 73% over the past year.

The board also highlighted the overall positive trend in substitute fill rates, noting that all other schools have either improved or maintained their rates. As of February 28, 2025, the percentage of unfilled teacher absences decreased in most schools, with the exception of Cromry, Middleton High School, and Northside Elementary. Cromry's situation is particularly alarming, with unfilled absences rising from 33 to 138 over the past year, placing a heavy burden on the school's staff.

The meeting also addressed the current staffing of permanent substitute teachers, which has decreased from 13.4 to 7.325 assigned to schools. Despite this reduction, the district has managed to maintain an average substitute fill rate of 82%, thanks in part to the ongoing support from permanent building substitutes and effective partnerships with recruitment staff.

As the board concluded its discussions, members expressed gratitude for the improvements made while acknowledging the pressing need to focus on the schools facing the greatest challenges. The commitment to monitoring and addressing these issues reflects the district's dedication to ensuring that all students receive the support they need, without overburdening existing staff.