Enid schools report 91% substitute fill rate after 5,437 absences this year

Cassie Schultz, a district staff member, reported that Enid Public Schools recorded 5,437 absences this year and filled 4,676 of them, a 91% fill rate, during the Enid Public Schools Board of Education meeting on June 23, 2025.

The update matters because substitute coverage affects classroom continuity as the district prepares for the 2025–26 school year. Schultz said the district also recorded 57 positions that were filled at 100% during the year and hired 72 substitutes for 2024–25. The district averaged 82 substitutes working throughout the year and held 85 substitute orientations.

Schultz described recruiting efforts including marquee displays, yard signs at schools, flyers at local businesses, social‑media posts and outreach at local events such as the NOC Welcome Back Students event. She said the district has a refer‑a‑friend program: if someone refers a new hire who works 10 of the first 45 days, the referrer receives $100; the program has no stated limit on payments.

Board members asked about retention from last year’s hires; Schultz said she did not have a concrete number, but estimated roughly 45 to 50 of the 72 substitutes had been retained and expected a firmer number in July. A board member noted the district’s higher fill rate and lower absences compared with the prior year.

Schultz also said the district filled 11 long‑term vacancies, hired eight substitutes to full‑time teaching positions and six to support‑staff roles.

District staff encouraged principals to provide 48 hours' notice when possible to improve fill rates and said they will host a substitute gathering later in the summer to promote referrals and hiring.

The board did not take a vote on the substitute report; the information was provided as part of the superintendent’s report and no formal action was recorded.