Trustees press district on substitute staffing, ask for campus-level data; district describes recruitment and recognition efforts

Trustees pressed La Porte ISD administrators March 11 about the frequency and effects of pulling interventionists and paraprofessionals into general classroom coverage and about ways to increase substitute teacher recruitment and retention.

Trustee Perez asked for data on how often interventionists or reading specialists are pulled from their duties to cover classrooms, and whether campuses sometimes combine classes or use student centers when shortages occur. "So on any of those instances, are we combining classes or having them in the student center or cafeteria?" Perez asked. He also asked whether paraprofessionals are used and whether the district tracks the frequency.

A human-resources staff member answered that substitute coverage is handled day-to-day: "We make calls every morning. We send out notifications to our sub pools so that they can have an opportunity to pick up jobs," the staff member said. The staff member described increased illness and testing schedules (TELPAS) as factors that temporarily increase substitute needs. The staff member also said the district provides regular substitute training, spotlight recognition, small appreciation deliveries, social-media recognition and Citrix/keycard access for substitutes.

On pay, the staff member said the district currently pays $100 per day for noncertified substitutes and $125 per day for certified substitutes and maintains a higher long-term rate for extended assignments. The district also runs substitute trainings through April to maintain the pool and offers a "spotlight of the month" and occasional small gift baskets or treats for substitutes as recognition.

Trustees pressed for better recordkeeping about how frequently pull-outs occur and how the district ensures special education minutes and IEP accommodations are met when paraprofessionals are reassigned. The staff member and principals said some decisions are made case-by-case; principals will report qualitative summaries after spring break about campus practices for coverage and any recurring issues.

Trustee discussion also raised compensation and non-monetary incentives as potential recruitment tools; the staff member said the district attempts to remain competitive with surrounding areas and will explore other ideas suggested by trustees. The board requested campus-level qualitative reports on coverage practices so trustees can better assess whether policy or compensation changes are needed.

No formal board action was taken; the discussion concluded with a staff commitment to provide a short summary of campus practices after spring break.