Board authorizes superintendent to negotiate ESS substitute-staffing contract for 2025-26

The Bryan ISD Board authorized the superintendent to negotiate and enter a contract with ESS South Central LLC to provide substitute staffing services for the 2025-26 school year, a move administrators said supports classroom continuity and recruitment.

Bryan ISD HR and finance staff described a longstanding partnership with ESS that began in 2019. Angela Behrens, assistant director of human resources, said ESS maintains a district-specific recruiting and onboarding team, offers weekend and evening orientations, provides specific trainings (including stop-the-bleed and special education preparedness), operates an after-hours call center, and has produced recruits the district later hired into full-time positions.

Behrens reported current operational metrics: ESS has filled tens of thousands of absences for the district since 2019 and, as of the meeting, the district had about 482 active substitutes in the ESS pool. She said the district saw very high day-of fill rates recently (99% on one recent Monday and 97% the morning of the meeting).

Finance staff presented pricing history and cost context. Administration said ESS agreed to reduced markups over several years and that if the district were to internalize substitute staffing and provide equivalent benefits and outreach, internal cost estimates suggested a likely increase in total expense. Trustees and administrators described the arrangement as an efficient operational solution that helps campuses secure classroom coverage.

The board approved a motion to authorize the superintendent to negotiate and execute a contract with ESS South Central LLC. The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript records the vote as unanimous but does not give a roll-call tally. The administration said the contract will be brought forward to finalize terms and return to the board if required by board policy or state purchasing rules.