Absence Management grows with attention to detail

The secret is out about the work of Erie 1 BOCES’ Absence Management department, as it aids school districts in filling their need for substitute  teachers each and every day.

“We all work to accomplish the same thing: making sure that our partners have what they need,” said Patricia Wilkosz, who leads the office.

Starting with just a handful of school districts, the office’s staff members now work with more than 50 school districts across Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties.

“Everything we’ve grown is word of mouth,” Wilkosz said. “It’s building a reputation for the service we offer, and that’s what makes us so proud.”

That service means early mornings for its staff, with much of its key operations going on from 6-9 a.m. Judith Carestio, senior account clerk, said she works with about 15 districts, aiding employees and substitutes in navigating software and monitoring that messages to substitutes are going out correctly.

“It’s a good feeling,” Carestio said. “Schools have a lot of difficulties securing substitutes.”

The office can also create reports for its district partners reflecting information such as sick time and vacation accruals.

“We become data divas,” Carestio said. “We’re managing a ton of data.”

District partners of the office praised its staff ’s work in helping them fill their classroom staffing needs.

“If I have any issues or trouble with something, they look into it,” said Melinda Evans, principal account clerk for the Maryvale Union Free School District. “They’re very supportive of anything I might need.”

Wilkosz said she and her staff found fulfillment in assisting their client school districts.

“At the end of the day, we can say we made a difference somewhere,” she said. “We’re proud of the work that we do.”

Absence Management assists school districts in filling their need for substitute staff on a daily basis, using a combination of technology platforms and live support from the department’s  staff. The office also prepares data for school districts in categories such as sick time and vacation accruals. For more information about the office’s work, contact Patricia Wilkosz at 716-821-7461.