Contract, Per-Diem, or Direct-Hire? Choosing the Right School Staffing Model

Not every opening needs the same solution. Picking the right staffing model up front saves time, money, and a lot of frustration for your team.

Contract placement

A professional works in your school for a set period — a semester, a school year, or the length of a leave. The staffing partner handles payroll, onboarding, and compliance.

• Best for: long-term placements, leaves of absence, and program expansions
• Why it works: you get continuity for students without a permanent commitment

Per-diem coverage

Short-notice coverage for a day or a few days at a time. You're billed only for the days worked.

• Best for: absences, emergencies, and flex days
• Why it works: classrooms stay covered without pulling teachers from their own prep time

Direct-hire

Your staffing partner recruits and vets candidates; you hire the person directly onto your staff.

• Best for: permanent roles where long-term fit is the priority
• Why it works: you get a wider, pre-screened candidate pool without running the whole search yourself

Mixing models

Many schools combine models — for example, a contract professional covers a vacancy this semester while a direct-hire search runs for next year. Talk through the timeline with your staffing partner and choose what fits each role.

EDU-AIDs offers contract, per-diem, and direct-hire staffing for schools and districts nationwide. Request staff and we'll recommend the model that fits.