Page 146 - Demo

146 SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL REPORTSubstitute Office and Non-Instructional RecruitmentThe Substitute Office maintained an active pool of 3,732 individuals in FY26, supporting schools across the District. This resulted in a substitute fill rate of 86.4%. Recruitment also targeted skilled trades and support roles, including electrical, plumbing, transportation, school food service, and school police. Outreach included job fairs and engagement with technical programs, such as the West Technical Education Center.Retention and CertificationThe Teacher Ambassador Program expanded to 17 schools in FY26. Ambassadors partnered with administrators to develop onboarding plans and coordinate engagement activities for new and transfer teachers. The District also celebrated more than 28,500 employees through the %u201cStarstruck by You, PBC!%u201d campaign during Public Schools Week.The Certification Office increased compliance by revising the out-of-field notification process in October and again in February. Financial support included In-Field Compliance Scholarships and Advancement Scholarships, which provided exam vouchers and study materials to teachers, substitutes, and non-instructional staff. Virtual certification chats offered 60-minute sessions on State requirements, further supporting professional growth across the District.EDUCATOR SUPPORT PROGRAM AND TEACHER FESTThe District demonstrated a steadfast commitment to recruiting and retaining high-quality educators through two primary initiatives: Teacher Fest and the Educator Support Program (ESP). These initiatives emphasized building capacity, strengthening professional learning, and recognizing excellence across all school sites.Teacher FestDeveloped in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association, Teacher Fest is a conference-style training event. In FY26, the department welcomed 924 educators to the event, which had a meaningful impact on more