Substitute teachers are those teachers used to replace teachers on leave authorized by § 49-5-701, § 49-5-710 or § 49-5-711, or to fill temporary vacancies as defined by the state board of education and granted under written local school board policies. Substitute teachers may be employed and paid directly by a local education agency or by a third party public or private employer through an agreement between such third party employer and the local education agency. Substitute teachers employed by third party entities shall be subject to the same unemployment benefit eligibility conditions as substitute teachers employed directly by local education agencies.