FASTfacts - March 25, 2025 (Vol. 20, Issue 16)

Substitute Teacher Contract Expands Amid Rising Costs

The cost of hiring substitute teachers district-wide continues to climb, this year alone as much as $2 million. 

In a revised agreement with ESS Southeast, LLC, the cost of finding, hiring, and placing substitute teachers could reach $6 million. Next year, that cost will likely reach $6.5 million.

ESS is the company contracted to recruit, train, manage and coordinate substitute teachers used by schools for short- and long-term time periods. 

Starting July 1, substitute teacher pay rates will increase to the follow amounts based on classification: 

• $60 Half Day
• $120 Full Day
• $67.50 Half Day at Hard-to-Fill Schools
• $135 Full Day at Hard-to-Fill Schools
• $140 Continuing Substitute
• $145 Continuing Substitute at Hard-to-Fill Schools
• $150 Certified Substitute

The district also pays ESS fees of nearly 30 percent on top of these daily rates. This year, ESS has filled 86 percent of requests for substitute teachers -- six percent higher than the same time last year. As well, ESS has completed 5,172 more substitute assignments in the same timeframe. 

With unanimous School Board approval, this amended agreement can be renewed for one additional year following the 2025-2026 school year. 

MCPS Expands Use of Overseas Teachers to Address Shortages

For several years, MCPS has partnered with TPG Cultural Exchange Services, LLC, to fill teaching vacancies with qualified educators from outside the United States. This program aims to help address teacher shortages and bring diverse perspectives to the classroom.

An amended agreement with the company now allows the district to hire up to 30 additional educators. These educators will earn the same salary as their MCPS-based counterparts, based on their experience and education levels. The district could spend an additional $405,000 if all 30 teachers are hired. However, if no additional teachers are hired through the program, MCPS will incur no extra costs.

TPG Cultural Exchange Services, LLC, operates under formal agreements with the federal government and the State of Florida. These agreements permit internationally-qualified educators to temporarily teach in the U.S. for one to five years. Afterward, these educators return to their home countries to share the cultural and educational knowledge they gained during their time in the U.S.

MCPS students benefit by having qualified teachers in the classroom, while the cultural exchange enriches the learning experience for both TPG teachers and MCPS students.

Based in Greenville, South Carolina, TPG Cultural Exchange Services, LLC, must comply with all state and federal laws related to public education in order to continue offering this temporary international exchange program.

The amended agreement, which has been approved by the School Board, is valid through June 30, 2026.

New Schools Lead to Major Furniture Purchases

With two new elementary schools set to open this August, along with a new classroom wing, MCPS is preparing to spend $3 million to equip these schools and classrooms with new furniture, including tables, desks, and other essential items. This spending also includes the replacement of similar items at other schools.

Large capital expenses accompany the construction of new schools, and the School Board has approved the $3 million expenditure for furniture purchases from various vendors, taking advantage of New York and Florida state contracts to secure the best prices.

The three-year agreements for these purchases run through December 2028. Once Elementary Schools "W" and "X" open, along with the new wing at Liberty Middle, annual furniture purchases are expected to return to approximately $150,000.

Dozens of companies are part of the two approved contracts, including Ernie Morris Enterprises, Inc. of Bushnell. So far this year, MCPS has spent $321,390 with this company.

~Spotlighting Student Success~

School Board members and Superintendent Dr. Gullett pose with some of this year's winning Southeastern Youth Fair winners and their farm animals.