The Lewisville ISD board of trustees approved to renew its contract with ESS South Central, which is a third-party company that supplies the district with substitutes, during a Dec. 12 meeting.

ESS was initially hired by the district Dec. 13, 2021, to provide the district with substitute teachers. This was a shift from the district providing the substitutes.

The substitute fill rate at the district for the 2019-20 school year was 86.3%, and the 2020-21 school year fill rate was 75.4%, according to district data. The 2021-22 school year fill rate was 57.1%. Since the inception of the contract, the fill rate average is 71%.

The goal is to increase the district’s substitute fill rate, resolve equity gaps among campuses, and retain local control of hiring requirements and pay rates, according to the agenda.

It is estimated to cost $6 million for 2023.