EMS ISD pilots monthly teacher attendance incentive to cut substitute costs
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Summary
Board heard a proposal for a monthly teacher attendance incentive pilot that would repay unspent substitute dollars to eligible classroom teachers; administrators will return in September with firm program language.
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD leaders proposed an experimental monthly incentive to reduce teacher absences and lower substitute spending, telling the board the pilot could redirect unused substitute funds to eligible classroom teachers.
Human Resources Assistant Dr. Chaney Kern and Chief Human Resources officer or presenter described a pilot the district will consider in September targeting teachers whose positions require daily substitutes. The district reported roughly 22,600 teacher absence days during 2024–25, of which 76% were classified as personal business (illness, appointments, family issues). The district budgeted about $3 million for substitutes last year.
Two payout models were presented. Option A would use month‑by‑month substitute savings to pay all eligible teachers who recorded perfect attendance in that month; Option B would set aside a fixed monthly pool and randomly draw teachers who qualified that month (example: 30 winners at $1,000 each). Under either option the eligibility window proposed for the pilot is Oct. 1 through the end of the school year in May, and permitted absences such as jury duty or military leave would not count against a teacher’s eligibility.
Dr. Kern said the pilot would be limited to positions that require a substitute when the teacher is absent, and the final payout will depend on monthly substitute usage and the count of eligible teachers. She described the proposal as a month‑to‑month pilot, meaning teachers who miss perfect attendance in one month could qualify in later months. The district also discussed a hybrid suggestion from trustees: combine monthly payouts to qualifying teachers with an end‑of‑year drawing that increases reward for sustained attendance.
Trustees asked about payroll logistics, TRS reporting and whether payouts should be immediately visible on a monthly check; staff said they are working with payroll on delivery and expect the first payouts in late September if the board approves the pilot. The board did not vote on the pilot; administration will return with a refined proposal and recommended option at a future meeting.