Board hears plan to outsource substitutes and some support roles to STS; administration says employees could see pay increases

District leaders presented a proposal to contract with STS (Substitute Teacher Service, Inc.) to provide substitute teachers and paraprofessionals beginning July 1, 2026, telling the board the move could raise employee take-home pay while producing district savings.

Interim Superintendent Tom Strickler said several retiring or transitioning staff have indicated they will return to work through contractor arrangements, and that the STS agreements are written around percentages rather than fixed wages. The district’s summary compared current hourly and annual totals and showed that, after eliminating a prior deduction and with STS pay rates, employees could see annual increases in pay (examples given: ~$4,000–$4,300 per year depending on class of worker) while the district would still realize net savings in each pay tier.

Finance and policy committee members said STS will offer medical benefits and a 401(k) and that the arrangement is intended to be attrition-driven rather than an involuntary layoff. Board members pressed for clarifications on daily vs. long-term substitute rates (long-term subs defined as 30 days or more; district indicated they currently use STS for long-term assignments up to 90 days and are negotiating a one-year waiver to extend that during budget transition), and asked for examples from neighboring districts (Eastern Lancaster and Penn Manor were cited as having positive results).

Administration emphasized they are not forcing current employees to leave; instead, the proposal accommodates those who prefer to transition and would allow the district to stabilize staffing costs given hiring difficulties. No binding outsource contract was finalized at the workshop; the board will receive the STS agreements, appendices and any recommended administrative regulations for review and vote on May 26.