District leaders cite a remarkable improvement in substitute management as ESS launches its first partnership in the state.
WOODSTOCK, Vt., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- ESS has entered Vermont through a new partnership with Mountain Views Supervisory Union (MVSU), marking the company's first school district partnership in the state. Based in Woodstock, MVSU serves students and families across the Central Vermont communities of Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock.
The partnership began August 27 as MVSU sought a more hands-on approach to recruiting, managing, and supporting the personnel who help keep its schools operating each day. ESS is providing substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, clerical staff, and food service employees while managing recruitment, onboarding, placement, and ongoing program support.
In the weeks leading up to the new school year, ESS worked closely with District and school leaders to transition existing substitutes, onboard employees, recruit additional candidates from local communities, and prepare schools for the start of the program. The transition followed an experience with MVSU's previous substitute management vendor that District leaders say had fallen short of their needs.
"The difference between our previous substitute management experience and ESS has been remarkable," said Rayna Bishop, Director of Human Resources at Mountain Views Supervisory Union. "With ESS, we have a team that communicates with us, actively recruits for us, works directly with our school leaders, and takes responsibility for the day-to-day work of managing the program. The transition was seamless, the support has been excellent, and we finally feel like we have a true partner in managing our substitute workforce."
That support is especially important as districts continue to struggle to recruit qualified substitutes. By expanding the substitute pool and providing employees with ongoing guidance and support, ESS helps schools maintain coverage while giving substitutes the resources they need to succeed in their assignments.
For MVSU Superintendent Sherry Sousa, ESS' involvement has already helped relieve some of the pressure on District and school leaders while helping ensure students have qualified adults in place throughout the school day.
"ESS has been a welcome relief for an incredibly challenging situation," said Sousa. "Securing high-quality substitute teachers has been nearly impossible, especially post-COVID. ESS has been available every step of the way: meeting with our Central Office Team, presenting to Principals, onboarding new and existing substitutes, and recruiting additional individuals in our communities. I am so impressed by the quality of every ESS Team member and already feel less stressed about meeting our schools' coverage needs."
MVSU's early response makes the partnership particularly significant for ESS as the company establishes its presence in Vermont.
"Expanding into Vermont is an exciting milestone for ESS, but the response from Mountain Views Supervisory Union is what has made this partnership especially rewarding," said Steve Gritzuk, Ed.D., President and COO at ESS. "Our team came in ready to listen, step in where needed, and work alongside both the schools and the substitutes serving them. At the end of the day, our focus is making sure students have the resources and assistance they need in their classrooms and schools. We are proud of what we have accomplished together already and look forward to building on that success."
About ESS
ESS has worked exclusively in K-12 education for over 26 years, helping school districts recruit, hire, train, place, and manage qualified personnel. Its model combines local recruiting and hands-on program management with the resources and experience of a national organization. With MVSU as its first Vermont partner, ESS continues to expand its partnerships with school districts and communities across the country. For more information, visit ESS.com.
Media Contact
Jennifer Mangan, ESS, 1 (215) 510-1334, [email protected], ess.com
SOURCE ESS
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