Board approves Kelley Education contract to fill substitute shortages

The Salina Public Schools Board of Education voted 6‑0 on May 13 to contract with Kelley Education (a division of Kelly Services) to provide substitute‑teacher staffing for the 2025–26 school year.

Erin Wright, the district presenter for the item, told the board the district’s overall substitute fill rate this school year was about 47 percent, with building rates ranging “from 20% in some buildings to 70% in others.” Wright said the district has been discussing a shrinking substitute pool “pretty much since COVID.”

Brandy Meisenheimer, a Kelley Education representative, described the company’s approach, saying Kelley will deploy two local teams — one focused on recruiting new employees and one on retaining current substitutes — and that the service is “all inclusive” with Kelley acting as the employer of record. Meisenheimer said weekly pay and a benefits package would be offered to recruits and that schools would incur costs only when a substitute actually works in a building.

Board members asked questions and expressed guarded optimism. One board member noted the district can cancel the contract with 60 days’ notice if the arrangement does not prove effective. After discussion, a board member moved to approve contracting with Kelley Education and to authorize district administration and general counsel to negotiate and finalize the agreement; the motion carried 6‑0.

Discussion points (not formal commitments) included the district’s low fill rate, the districtwide variability in fill rates by building, Kelley’s claim of weekly pay and benefits as recruitment incentives, the company serving as employer of record, and the 60‑day cancellation clause.

No contract details beyond those summarized at the meeting were released in open session.