Citing the lagging behind in pay the Warren Co. Board of Education Monday night voted to unanimously terminate the contract with ESS, the company that provides substitute teachers in the school system.
Director of Schools Grant Swallows told the board that the decision is not with their performance. He stated that ESS has done exceptional work with the service provided but a lack of pay is contributing to the low number of substitutes. Currently, the board pays 77 dollars a day for subs, with 60 going to the substitute and 17 dollars to ESS. Swallows said that, in this budget environment, it would be best to take the process back and done in-house with one person in charge to manage the service and pay substitutes more. He went on to say that the system is in a crossroads and should do what we can to increase pay and number of subs. ESS countered that they would take down some of their revenue to stay on with the school system, which is 17 dollars per sub per day, but the board voted unanimously to dissolve the contract.
There was some discussion that the pay could possibly be raised to between 73 and 75 dollars starting next school year but nothing was finalized and will be taking up at the June 27 meeting. Swallows concluded that ESS has done a fantastic job and has worked hard but ultimately it comes down to a budget issue.