Independence board hears proposal to outsource substitute staffing to Kelly Education

The Independence School District Board of Education heard a presentation on outsourcing substitute staffing to Kelly Education at a work session. Kelly representative Brandy Misenheimer described a local operations model, training and benefits for substitutes and said Kelly could begin implementation after board approval.

Misenheimer told the board Kelly maintains an on-site presence in the Kansas City market, conducts neighborhood recruiting and provides role-specific prehire training and monthly professional development for substitutes. "We have 2,000 individuals that we've already hired in your community that you'll be able to tap into," she said, describing a pool the company would use to staff Independence schools.

Why it matters: Independence staff and board members said the district faces ongoing substitute shortages and a roughly 70% fill rate this year. Board members focused on what outsourcing would mean for costs, continuity and administrative workload: whether the district would see higher fill rates; whether current…