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Guthrie School Board Approves One-Year Agreement with ESS to Increase Substitute Fill Rates
Summary
After discussion about training, background checks and cost, the board voted to approve a one-year contract with ESS South Central LLC to supply substitute teachers and handle substitute payroll and onboarding for 2025–26.
GUTHRIE, Okla. — The Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education on May 12 approved a one-year contract with ESS South Central LLC to place substitute teachers, handle payroll and recruit substitutes, a change the administration said is intended to improve the district’s substitute fill rate.
Administration presentation: Superintendent Dr. Simpson described the district’s difficulty maintaining substitute coverage, occasionally falling to 50% or lower, and recommended the ESS agreement as a one-year trial. He said ESS would recruit beginning early in the summer, perform background checks and interviews, provide ongoing and district-specific training, and offer payroll and benefits options that the district cannot provide directly.
On cost and tradeoffs: Dr. Simpson warned the board the arrangement "will cost the district money because right now, if we don't have a subfield, we're not paying a sub to teach it. But the problem with that is they're not getting the education they need." He said the district is prepared to pay for increased coverage because principals are losing instructional time when they must supervise unassigned classrooms.
Training and operations: The administration said ESS will provide Oklahoma-specific legal training and Guthrie-specific building orientation (cafeteria, restrooms, teacher lounge, student movement procedures). ESS would also receive access to the district’s substitute-assignment system so the vendor can accept and place substitute employees.
Employee status and protections: Dr. Simpson said current substitutes who choose to work through ESS would not lose their existing pay rates; ESS would employ them, pay weekly and offer options such as health insurance and a 401(k), per the presentation.
Board discussion and vote: Board members asked whether ESS performs background checks and how training would address building-specific needs; administration confirmed both. After discussion, a motion to approve the ESS South Central LLC agreement carried on a roll call vote with the board voting unanimously to approve.
Next steps: The contract is for one year and will be evaluated on whether it raises substitute fill rates and reduces the need for principals and other building leaders to supervise classrooms during the school day.
