Germantown plans three‑phase mentoring program, reports improved substitute fill rates

The personnel committee on Jan. 13 heard a multi‑part staffing update that included a proposed three‑phase mentoring program for new teachers and a report on substitute fill‑rate improvements after a vendor change.

Martin Castro presented the mentoring plan: phase 1 (design and alignment with DPI guidance and a mentoring handbook), phase 2 (mentor selection and training), and phase 3 (full implementation and ongoing refinement). Castro said the program will emphasize instructional coaching, confidentiality and a one‑on‑one mentor/mentee pairing and could last up to three years for each mentee.

Castro also reviewed substitute coverage after the district moved from Teachers On Call/Kelly Services to EduStaff. For September–December, he reported a certified teacher fill rate of about 87.7% (compared with about 81.8% under the previous vendor) and a special‑education aide fill rate that rose to about 75.4% from roughly 64% prior to the switch. Castro outlined measures including targeted recruiting, on‑site onboarding and monthly data reviews with the vendor to improve fill rates further.

Trustees encouraged a careful rollout of the mentoring program, cross‑linking mentoring with existing 30/90‑day check‑ins, and asked for August deliverables; Castro said the final mentoring product would be ready by August and that the program aligns with strategic goals on educator development.

The committee also approved sending the recommendation to authorize 22 hours of KMS Best Buddies advising to the full board for teacher Jenny Holst (22 hours at $16.50/hr, $363 total).