Today, the State Board of Education approved that Georgia provides a one-time, $1,000 bonus to every K-12 public-school teacher and other education support personnel. Governor Brian Kemp and State School Superintendent Richard Woods recommended the board use federal stimulus funds for the one-time payment.
The bonus is being provided to teachers and education support staff to support more vital recruitment and retention of these critical positions as a gesture of gratitude for their work and sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The payments are intended for all teachers and education support personnel in Georgia’s K-12 public schools, including – but not limited to – teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, custodians, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, media specialists, clerical staff and administrative assistants, school principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, therapists, and long-term substitutes. The Department of Early Care and Learning is providing a separate bonus for Pre-K educators.
The state will use the state reserve portion of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief federal stimulus funds to provide the bonuses. State reserve funds are for addressing statewide needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and public schools.
School districts will receive a specific listing of eligible job codes along with funding for all eligible employees.