ESS has entered Vermont for the first time, partnering with Mountain Views Supervisory Union (MVSU) to manage substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, clerical staff, and food service employees across the District. The partnership launched August 27, 2026.
Based in Woodstock, Vermont, MVSU serves students and families in Barnard, Bridgewater, Killington, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Pomfret, Reading, and Woodstock.
District leaders were looking for more than help filling daily absences. They wanted consistent communication, active local recruiting, greater engagement with leadership, and a partner willing to be present in their schools.
Why MVSU Changed Substitute Management Companies
MVSU leaders shared that communication and engagement with their previous substitute management company had been limited. They also expressed concerns about recruiting, saying there had been little consistent effort to bring new substitute teachers and paraprofessionals into the District.
“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.”
ESS on the Ground in MVSU Schools
Local presence is central to how ESS manages its programs. Just days after the partnership launched, ESS’ new Vermont District Manager visited all six MVSU schools on August 31 and met with teachers, principals, substitutes, and parents.
The visits gave the District Manager an opportunity to connect directly with each school community and hear from the people involved in the program. He is also reviewing upcoming events throughout Vermont to identify additional opportunities to host or attend.
The early involvement reflects the hands-on approach MVSU leaders said they were looking for from their substitute management partner.
Recruiting Substitutes in Vermont
Recruiting was another priority for MVSU. District leaders said there had been limited ongoing recruiting under the previous program, with little effort to bring new substitute teachers and paraprofessionals into the District.
Ahead of the new school year, ESS worked to transition MVSU’s existing substitutes, onboard employees, and recruit additional candidates from surrounding communities.
MVSU Superintendent Sherry Sousa said ESS’ involvement has already helped ease some of the pressure surrounding substitute coverage.
“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.”
ESS’ First District Partnership in Vermont
MVSU is ESS’ first school district partnership in Vermont, marking another step in the company’s continued national growth.
ESS has worked exclusively in K-12 education for more than 26 years, helping school districts recruit, hire, train, place, and manage qualified personnel. The company combines local recruiting and hands-on program management with the resources and experience of a national organization.
“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., ESS President and COO. “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.”
What’s Next for ESS in Vermont
In its first weeks with MVSU, ESS has focused on the areas District leaders identified as priorities, including communication, local recruiting, engagement with school leaders, and an active presence in MVSU schools.
As the partnership continues, ESS will recruit and support substitute employees while remaining engaged with MVSU schools and the communities they serve.
School districts interested in learning more about ESS and its K-12 substitute management solutions can get started today.