District unveils new substitute handbook and onboarding to counter shortage

Manitowoc School District staff presented a new substitute handbook and kickoff plan intended to address a shortage of substitute teachers and make the district a preferred place for substitutes.

The presenter told the committee the handbook consolidates best practices taken from other districts and aims for clarity: it includes guidance on multilingual learners, special education students, threats of violence, mandatory reporting and building‑specific expectations. The district will begin holding onboarding sessions; the first session was scheduled for the day after the committee meeting and included four substitutes and one custodian, with a one‑and‑a‑half‑hour morning training and optional afternoon shadowing with a designated building substitute. Staff said they will pay substitutes for shadowing and provide lunch to participants.

Why it matters: The district, like many elsewhere, reported difficulty recruiting and retaining substitutes. The new handbook and onboarding are intended to improve the experience of people who choose to sub in Manitowoc schools and to standardize expectations across elementary, middle and high schools.

Details discussed: The presenter said each school building has a permanent building substitute who can support a novice substitute during a shadow. The handbook includes an emergency handout used in all buildings and separate general expectation guidance for elementary, middle and high schools. The presenter said the handbook is a first draft to be revised after initial onboarding sessions and feedback.

No formal action was required or taken on the handbook at this meeting; staff said they are continuing to refine the materials.