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Camdenton board weighs paid, in-person orientation for substitute teachers with PennMAC
Summary
Board members discussed partnering with PennMAC to offer paid, in-person substitute-teacher orientation in the district to improve substitute quality and retention; staff will follow up with PennMAC and add the item to the July agenda.
Camdenton R-III School District board members discussed a proposal to partner with PennMAC to provide paid, in-person orientation for substitute teachers aimed at improving substitute familiarity with buildings, safety procedures and district expectations.
Board members said the orientation would be a half-day, locally run session in which district staff would present building-level safety plans, introduce office staff and create face-to-face connections between substitutes and schools. The goal, according to trustees and staff, is to increase the pool of substitutes who choose Camdenton and to improve the day-to-day experience for students and regular teachers by having better-prepared substitutes.
Administrators said the district would request that PennMAC waive its usual fee so the district could pay substitutes for the orientation time and provide a modest incentive (for example, a paid half-day and light refreshments). Staff noted PennMAC’s existing virtual orientation is optional and that some substitutes who took it characterized it as inadequate; the district would offer local input on orientation content and emphasize face-to-face components. District staff also said some substitutes who work through PennMAC have expressed confusion about discipline and bus procedures, and that a local session could clarify the district’s expectations.
Board members asked staff to collect data on substitute usage and in-house training days (by budget code) so the board can measure how many substitute days the district pays and whether on-site professional development days have reduced substitute needs. Staff agreed to share a spreadsheet that tracks substitute payments and building-level substitute usage.
Administrators reported a meeting with David Stewart (representing PennMAC) was already scheduled and said the substitute-orientation idea would be discussed in that meeting. Board members also directed staff to place the item on the July board meeting agenda so trustees could review the results of the PennMAC conversation and consider next steps.
The board did not take a formal vote on the orientation proposal during the special session; the item was left for administrative follow-up and future board consideration.
