Employee Handbook
The Fidelis Consulting Handbook details our policies, regulations and requirements for the substitute teachers on our team.
The Fidelis Consulting Handbook details our policies, regulations and requirements for the substitute teachers on our team.
Dear Substitute Teacher or Educational Assistant,
Welcome to Fidelis Consulting, the Substitute Teacher service for Stevens Point Area Public School District. We are pleased that you have joined the outstanding cadre of men and women who are employed as Substitutes with Fidelis for the Stevens Point School District. Your position is extremely important because you are the person who is entrusted with the academic and social wellness of the students in the absence of their regular Teachers or Educational Assistants.
Your acceptance of the role of Substitute Teacher or Educational Assistant is an indication of your dedication to ensure that the youth in the Stevens Point schools have continuity in their education programs. This will be reflected in your professional behavior by your promptness, appearance, speech, preparation and respect for all students. Holding high expectations for every student; being firm, but fair, gathering and using information from communicating with the staff about your accomplishments and concerns, will ensure you and the students have a productive and enjoyable experience.
Although students are our first concern, we are also interested in your success and continued achievements. The position of Substitute Teacher or Educational Assistant can be a major factor in your career development. Many of our Substitute Teachers go on to become full-time certified Teachers. When openings become available in the District, Substitute Teachers are often the first people the schools recommend for consideration. You can be sure that your performance will be noted by the Principal, Teachers and the Fidelis staff. Therefore, we want you to view your work as rewarding and developmental.
Whenever you have any questions, concerns or good news to share, please give us a call or send us an email.
Respectfully yours,
Tammy Rosenberg
Owner – Fidelis Consulting
Some might wonder – why the company is called Fidelis Consulting Service. There is actually a logical explanation behind the name. Owner, Tammy Rosenberg, worked for over 30 years in the staffing industry, the last 15 specifically in the education arena. She developed a system for recruiting, screening, hiring and placing Substitute Teachers/Assistants and Special Education Substitute Teachers/Assistants. She was also known for cultivating strong partnerships with school personnel and creating lasting bonds through her customer rapport. Fidelis is a Latin word that means faithful or loyal, similar to that of the United States Marine Corp – Semper Fidelis – always faithful. Stevens Point Area Public School District reached out to Tammy, and after a few months of collaborating, in September of 2021, Fidelis Consulting Service became the Substitute Teacher placement service for the District!
As a Substitute Teacher/Educational Assistant, you will be contacted by Frontline (an automated substitute calling system). Frontline will attempt to offer you job assignments. You will be notified of open absences through the app. Frontline utilizes a first come first serve format, if you are interested in a position go into the app or website to accept it.
If you haven’t already put in a non-work day, you may also be contacted by our Fidelis Dispatchers about open positions.
If a teacher fails to inform Fidelis about the substitute they have arranged and have submitted their absence, we will not remove another substitute who has picked up their position due to our policy.
If a teacher approaches you with an offer for a position, please reiterate to them that they need to contact Fidelis in order to get that entered.
If you have questions as it relates to an open assignment or particular school/Teacher please contact our Fidelis office at email: fidelisdispatch@pointschools.net.
Substitute Teachers and Educational Assistants must strictly adhere to all Stevens Point Area Public School District rules, regulations, and board policies. While assigned to a specific campus, substitutes work under the direct supervision of the building Principal or their designated representative. Employees are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the unique operational rules of their assigned building. For guidance or clarification, consult the building Principal or school Secretary.
To ensure comprehensive compliance with local campus standards, substitutes must also review and follow the official guidelines outlined on the Stevens Point Area Public School District Human Resources Hub, where the current Stevens Point Area Public School District Employee Handbook can be accessed and reviewed thoroughly.
School administrations may occasionally request that substitutes fulfill alternative roles or duties during the school day to meet operational needs. Substitutes are expected to remain flexible and assist campuses wherever needed, provided the assignment falls within the parameters of their active professional licensure. Accepting extra assignments outside of your initial booking is not strictly mandatory. If you feel unqualified or uncomfortable with a requested role change, promptly notify both the school administration and Fidelis management.
Credentials needed to become a Substitute Teacher for the Stevens Point Area Public School District are as follows: Must obtain Substitute Teaching License through DPI, complete DPI standard criminal background investigation.
Special Education – Educational Assistants must obtain the special education assistant certification through DPI as well as the DPI standard for criminal background investigation.
We also have a partnership with STEDI to complete your Sub Skills and Mandated Reporting, prior to employment which is required by the state of Wisconsin.
It is required to go through the Fidelis Consulting orientation prior to having access to our Frontline system in order to pick up positions.
Upon accepting an assignment from Frontline or staff of Fidelis, you should report to the main office of the assigned school building. Immediately upon arrival at the school, you should sign in with the building Secretary.
You may expect to find the following ready for you when you report for the day:
In the event that these items are not available, notify the building office and seek assistance in preparing for the day’s activities.
You should attempt to follow the lesson plan as closely as possible so that the instructional program of the regular teacher may proceed as effectively as possible under the circumstances. Try to avoid changing the regular classroom routine as much as possible as it will make your day easier.
Please turn in any reports to the building office, along with any keys or other items given to you for the day. Also, please sign out at the front desk before leaving the school.
Employees are paid weekly on a one-week delay. Direct deposit enrollment is mandatory for receiving all weekly paycheck disbursements. Please contact Tammy Rosenberg at 414-429-4888 regarding any payroll questions, reporting discrepancies, or missing hours. Fidelis deducts all required federal, state (Wisconsin Form WT-4), and Social Security taxes based on the regulatory withholding selections specified on your Form W-4.
Fidelis houses all compensation data, tax information, and credentialing files securely within the Paychex platform. Employees receive login credentials to independently access their accounts, view historical payroll records, update direct deposit information, and reference their submitted tax documentation (Forms W-4, WT-4, and I-9). Additionally, your valid substitute licenses, training certifications, and employment applications remain archived in Paychex for centralized recordkeeping.
*Referral Bonus: $100 after 40hrs of work* | Standard Hourly Rate | Long-Term Rate (10+ Days) |
Substitute Teacher | $17.50 / hr | $30.00 / hr |
Retired Teacher | $18.75 / hr | $30.00 / hr |
Special Education Assistant | $16.50 / hr or $17.50 / hr | $17.25 / hr |
indicates that an employee working for the school district, even through a third-party contractor such as Fidelis, has a contract (written or implied). This indicates they will likely be employed for the following school year which eliminates the potential of collecting unemployment compensation.
All Substitute Teachers, Educational Assistants, candidates or any other employees working for
Fidelis Consulting at Stevens Point Area Public School District are hereby notified that Fidelis Consulting does not discriminate against someone (applicant or employee) because of a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
The Stevens Point Area Public School District, along with Fidelis Consulting, prohibits any and all forms of harassment and unlawful discrimination against any protected category listed above. It shall be a violation of this policy for any student, teacher, administrator, Fidelis staff or other school personnel to harass or unlawfully discriminate against any student or school personnel including Substitute Teachers and Educational Assistants through conduct of a sexual nature or regarding any protected category as defined by the Policy.
Fidelis has established grievance procedures for persons unable to resolve problems. Please contact our Fidelis office, at fidelisdispatch@pointschools.net or Tammy Rosenberg, at 414-429-4888 for immediate resolution.
Fidelis substitute employees are expected to dress professionally on a daily basis in order to set an appropriate example for students, coworkers, and the general public.
Employee attire and grooming must enhance and promote and not detract from the learning/educational environment of students in their classes, school programs, school-related activities, the environment of coworkers, and the environment and success of any activity taking place at any time in any District facility, grounds, or site.
For some positions, protective clothing and/or equipment must be worn during certain activities.
If you are injured while working as a substitute through Fidelis on school premises, you must report the injury immediately to the building Principal or office Secretary. You must also call the Fidelis Office as soon as possible, and report the injury as well.
If medical attention is needed, Fidelis must be notified in order to authorize treatment. If this is a medical emergency, the school will call 911 and inform Fidelis of the situation. The school and Fidelis staff will complete an injury report form within 24 hours of the work-related injury. If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Fidelis by phone: (414) 429-4888.
The unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on school premises or as part of school activities is strictly prohibited.
Fidelis employees under the influence of alcohol, drugs or controlled substances while on duty are a serious risk to themselves, students and other school personnel. Fidelis employees who display physical manifestations of drug or alcohol use while on duty, may be subject to drug testing. Any employee who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Fidelis Consulting, along with the Board of Education, recognizes that smoking represents a health and safety hazard which can have serious consequences for the smoker and the non-smoker alike. Our belief is that it is our obligation to protect students, staff, employees, visitors and guests of the District from an environmental hazard which may be harmful to them. All buildings, grounds and vehicles on the District premises are to be smoke-free and the use, sale, transfer and/or possession of tobacco products at all school activities is expressly prohibited.
For the purpose of this policy, smoking will mean all uses of tobacco, including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and smokeless tobacco items (vape devices are not allowed).
Fidelis Consulting conducts immediate mandated drug testing for any employee involved in an accident at any Stevens Point Area Public School District location. Testing is also required if supervisors suspect on-the-job alcohol or drug use. The independent, licensed medical laboratory utilizes strict urine collection protocols to ensure privacy and prevent tampering while screening for a standard 10-panel spectrum of controlled substances and chemical derivatives. Employees must disclose all prescription medications used within the past month to the lab and provide proof of authorization upon request.
Fidelis Consulting funds all initial and confirmation testing. An initial positive screen triggers an immediate temporary suspension pending further laboratory review. A positive result officially confirmed by a Medical Review Officer leads to disciplinary action up to and including termination, evaluated alongside the employee’s work history, attendance record, and rehabilitation initiatives. Employees may request a sample retest at their own expense within five working days of notification, with costs reimbursed if the second test invalidates the original result. All testing records are strictly confidential, provided to the employee upon request, and stored in secure medical files separate from standard personnel folders.
The purpose of this policy is to assure a safe school environment for students, staff and the public. It provides for clear understanding of intent, expectations, and parameters for all Fidelis substitute employees. It also provides for strict rules of enforcement and consequences for weapons violation in cooperation with law enforcement authorities and according to state and federal laws.
No Fidelis employee shall possess, use or distribute a weapon when in a school building or on any school premises. Fidelis Consulting will act to enforce this policy and to discipline or take appropriate action against any Substitute Teacher or Educational Assistant who violates this policy.
A “weapon” means any object, device or instrument designed as a weapon or through its use is capable of threatening or producing bodily harm or which may be used to inflict self-injury including, but not limited to, any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; air guns; pellet guns; BB guns; fake (facsimile) weapons; all knives; blades; clubs; metal knuckles; num-chucks; throwing stars; explosives; fireworks; mace and other propellants; stun guns; ammunition; poisons; chains; arrows; and objects that have been modified to serve as a weapon.
No person shall possess, use or distribute any object, device or instrument having the appearance of a weapon and such objects, devices or instruments shall be treated as weapons including, but not limited to, weapons listed above which are broken or nonfunctional, look-alike guns; toy guns; and any object that is a facsimile of a real weapon.
The internet expands classroom and library media center resources by making information, images and even computer software from places otherwise inaccessible, available to students, teachers, librarians, media specialists and substitutes. Access to these resources can yield individual and group projects, collaboration, curriculum materials and idea sharing.
This policy requires that all instructional and library media materials support and enrich the curriculum while considering the varied instructional needs, learning styles, abilities and developmental levels of students.
Any misuse or inappropriate use of the internet will result in disciplinary action up to termination. All use of the internet for classroom interaction must be approved by the regular Teacher and/or building Principal.
Employees are expected to exercise responsible behavior when on the network and only use computers for educational material suitable to a school setting. Employees who use the systems inappropriately may be subject to loss of access privileges and other appropriate discipline. Inappropriate uses include, but are not limited to:
Occasional personal use of the Internet and email is permitted, but limited to times which do not interfere with the employee’s position responsibilities. Communication over District networks is not considered private. The District reserves the right to review, audit, intercept, monitor, access, disclose, copy and/or download any communication created, transmitted, or maintained on any of the District’s computer or electronic communication systems.
Substitute Teachers are in a high-risk occupation, and states that “any physical contact with students presents a risk to the teacher or staff member.”
It goes on to explain that contact can be misinterpreted by:
Misinterpretation can lead to:
If found guilty of complaints or charges then employment can be terminated. The no touch policy stipulates the situations when physical contact may be required:
It is advised that physical contact should be restricted to these times, though be aware that with “any type of physical contact between staff member and child there is an inherent risk that it can be construed as abuse” If a child initiates physical contact in the seeking of affection, reassurance or comfort it is appropriate to respond. It is not appropriate to force unwanted affection or touching on a child. Physical contact of children during changing or cleansing must be for the purpose of that task only and be no more than is necessary. Encourage children to take care of themselves when appropriate. In addition, Substitute Teachers should always be visible when working with children, and should never be alone with a child or children.
Fidelis substitute employees are expected to create an atmosphere that will nurture and fulfill the potential of each student, leading to student achievement. Substitutes are responsible for quality practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, parents, and community members. All employees are expected to work together in a cooperative spirit to serve the best interests of the District.
Fidelis Substitutes must maintain high professional standards. The following list outlines key expectations:
All Fidelis substitute employees must perform their duties in accordance with federal and state laws, board policies, the employee handbook, and established ethical standards. Failure to follow these procedures and regulations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Contact a Fidelis Consulting Team Member with any issues you have either within the classroom or the school in which you are substitute teaching.
If the situation persists, reach out to the owner of Fidelis Consulting (Tammy Rosenberg).
If there has been no resolution, the situation will be brought up by a Fidelis representative to the District’s HR and the Principal of the school in question.
The District recognizes the serious school, family and societal problems associated with child abuse and neglect. Wisconsin law requires school employees to report all suspected incidents of child abuse and/or neglect to the proper authorities within the community.
All District employees having reasonable cause to suspect that a student, seen in the course of the employee’s professional duties, has been abused, threatened, or neglected, shall immediately inform, by telephone or personally, the Portage County Health and Human Services Department at (715) 345-5350, as mandated by law, and then the direct supervisor/principal. The oral report given to the agency shall include the name and age of the student, the student’s home address, the parent/guardian’s name or other person(s) responsible for the student’s care, and the circumstances surrounding the suspected abuse or neglect.
If the Portage County Health and Human Services Department is closed, the Portage County Sheriff’s Department (715) 346-1400 or police department shall be contacted. It is not the responsibility of school personnel to prove the student has been abused or neglected, only to report the suspected case(s).
Employees must use all PCDs (District-owned, company-owned, or personal) safely, professionally, and in accordance with this handbook.
Permitted Use: Employees may use PCDs for business related calls, emails, and instant messages during work hours.
Data Retention: Employees are responsible for retaining all business communications per District and company requirements.
Legal Status: Messages may constitute public records. Communications containing personally identifiable student details may qualify as official education records.
Driving: PCD use is strictly prohibited while driving between District schools during the workday.
Conduct: Do not use PCDs to harass, threaten, or humiliate others.
Social Media: Prohibited during work hours do not friend, follow, or contact students or staff on personal social media. Use approved, transparent District sites instead. Limit all electronic communication strictly to professional responsibilities.
Disclosure: Upon request, employees must provide administration with details of any digital platforms used to communicate with students, staff, or parents.
Recording: Electronic recording of classroom activities or meetings (audio or video) is strictly prohibited.
Employees must safeguard all Fidelis Consulting and Stevens Point Area School District data stored on their PCDs. Violations of this policy or any local, state, or federal laws may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.