Plainfield District 202 staff presented an informational memorandum of understanding with Lewis University at the Aug. 20 personnel, policy and administration committee meeting, outlining a pilot arrangement for student teachers to serve as paid short‑term substitutes under limited conditions.

Under the MOU staff described, Lewis University student teachers who hold a short‑term substitute license may substitute for their mentor teacher in the district, only in that mentor’s classroom, for up to five days; the arrangement is intended to provide immediate short‑term coverage when needed while giving student teachers paid, supervised experience. Staff said the district has a comparable agreement already in place with Illinois State University.

The item was informational and does not change hiring policy; staff said it expands local options for short‑term classroom coverage without replacing faculty positions.