District authorizes student‑teacher subbing under Lewis University memorandum (informational)

Plainfield District 202 staff presented an informational memorandum of understanding with Lewis University at the Aug. 20 personnel, policy and administration committee meeting, outlining a pilot arrangement for student teachers to serve as paid short‑term substitutes under limited conditions.

Under the MOU staff described, Lewis University student teachers who hold a short‑term substitute license may substitute for their mentor teacher in the district, only in that mentor’s classroom, for up to five days; the arrangement is intended to provide immediate short‑term coverage when needed while giving student teachers paid, supervised experience. Staff said the district has a comparable agreement already in place with Illinois State University.

The item was informational and does not change hiring policy; staff said it expands local options for short‑term classroom coverage without replacing faculty positions.