An outside firm will begin trying to line up substitute teachers for the Hamilton County Schools in January, officials said.
School officials earlier worked out an agreement with Education Solutions Services.
Keith Fogelman, chief talent officer for the county schools, said the county has been running at about 80 percent on filling needed sub positions over the past two years. He said in a recent month it was down to 69 percent.
He said a firm like Education Solutions Services should have a rate of around 90 percent. He said the new firm will come with a 50 cent per hour raise for the subs.
Mr. Fogleman said the fill rate for subs currently is as low as 50 percent in some schools.
He said nine to 10 other Tennessee school systems already use the firm, and Memphis is considering doing so.
Board member Tucker McClendon said regular substitutes can get benefits through the company.
Mr. Fogelman said there were 32 regular teachers who quit earlier this school year.
He said they gave various reasons in exit interviews, but some said it was because of discipline issues in the classroom.