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Forney ISD board approves ESS substitute contract extension for 2026–27 school year
Summary
The Forney ISD Board approved a contract extension with ESS Substitute Solutions after administration reported improved fill rates and expanded substitute recruitment; the automatic renewal required board approval because projected costs exceed the $100,000 threshold.
The Forney Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to approve an extension of the district's contract with ESS Substitute Solutions for the 2026–27 school year after hearing an operational update from district staff.
A district presenter told the board the partnership has improved over the past year, citing a 10% increase in overall fill rates, more than 450 new substitutes onboarded and over 70 orientations hosted. “Our goal remains to reach and sustain a 90% fill rate across the district,” the presenter said.
Administration emphasized that while the agreement includes an automatic renewal clause, projected costs for the upcoming term require board approval because they exceed the district’s required threshold for formal board action. Board members said they had seen measurable improvement in coverage and supported extending the contract to maintain staffing stability on campuses.
A board member moved to approve the extension as presented; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
The extension will allow the district to continue using ESS for substitute placement and recruiting while administration monitors fill rates and utilization. The board did not provide a recorded roll-call vote or an itemized cost breakdown during the open meeting; the presenter said any cost increases reflect higher utilization rather than a change in vendor pricing.
Next steps: administration said it will continue reporting on substitute fill rates and staffing trends to the board.
