Gwinnett educators miss out on state-funded bonus

Gwinnett County Public Schools informed employees on Monday that a proposed $2,000 one-time retention payment will not be issued this year. The district cited a lack of state funding in the approved budget as the primary reason for the cancellation.

An internal memo to staff explained that the financial supplement relied entirely on money from the State of Georgia. Since that allocation was not included in the final state budget, the district stated it does not have sufficient funds in its current budget to cover the cost on its own.

The district’s fiscal year 2027 budget initially listed the payments for a wide range of staff members. These included teachers, custodians, school nutrition workers, bus drivers, school nurses, school counselors, and other employees. In March, Governor Brian Kemp signed an amended fiscal year 2026 state budget that authorized these one-time supplemental payments for eligible educators and state employees.

Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers and Atlanta Federation of Teachers, said the teachers are disappointed by the news. She stated that the superintendent and school board must explain where the money went and who is shortchanging Georgia.

The district’s fiscal year 2027 budget continues to fund a $1,000 salary increase for all teachers from local sources. Employees who are not teachers will receive a 2.0% cost-of-living increase.