SHERMAN — The Sherman Central School District is trying to make the process of finding substitute teachers easier and more successful.

Sherman Principal Ann Morrison and Vice Principal Nicole Marino presented a slide show at the most recent meeting of the school board, illustrating the benefits of the Absence and Substitute Management Program from Frontline Education.

“It’s a way to manage the paperwork when a teacher needs a day off,” Marino said. “It’s a more efficient way to get substitutes in the building.”

Marino explained that, until now, when a teacher requested a day off, the teacher had to fill out a form and submit it to the principal, who then responded to the teacher, after which a substitute could be sought.

With Frontline Education, however, everything is done online, Marino said. Teachers can enter the days they need off and the program will search for qualified substitutes. “It streamlines the paperwork, so that it’s all done at one time,” she said.

Frontline Education asserts that their absence and substitute management program will “track employee absences and secure a qualified substitute for every classroom to support uninterrupted student learning.”

The program helps school districts quickly find the most qualified substitutes, easily manage substitute scheduling and provide substitutes with the knowledge they need to be successful. As part of its management program, Frontline Education will also “Proactively identify trends and address opportunities to improve employee attendance.”

Marino noted that the district already uses Frontline Education in the area of special education, so it was a natural choice to make the process of finding substitutes more efficient.

Marino said that Sherman does not generally have trouble finding substitutes. “Our teachers do a pretty good job of coming to work, so we don’t have too much trouble in that area, she said.