GEORGIA, USA — A new $1,000 payment to help retainment amongst state employees, including teachers, will be hitting pockets fairly soon.
Gov. Kemp announced the new bonuses on Monday in a news conference. The Georgia governor also announced that $103.9 million will be implemented in the 2024 budget for school security funding, with $45,000 for each school in the state. All schools will have the opportunity to allocate the funding for more security staffing or updating school safety technologies.
“This additional investment in school safety will benefit every part of the state,” Gov. Kemp said.
As teachers work hard and the year comes to a close, many may be wondering when the one-time end-of-year retention payment will be released.
Here's what we know.
When will Georgia teachers get the $1,000 bonus?
State and university employees will get their bonuses at the end of this month -- December. The governor's office said it would be up to the school districts when teachers and support staff will get their bonuses, but the bonus was set for the end of this year.
According to a news release, the budget will include $330 million in one-time bonuses for the employees.
The Department of Education will be giving disbursement guidance to school districts soon, according to a spokesperson with Kemp's office.
Who is eligible?
The state will not only give bonuses to school teachers – but they'll also go to paraprofessionals, support staff, administrators and bus drivers.
A spokesperson with the governor's office confirmed to 11Alive on Friday that eligible pre-K teacher and assistant teachers that are funded through the lottery pre-K programs will be able to qualify for the payment.
Unfortunately, private day care and private schools not related to state school funding will not be included in the end-of-year bonus.
"We cannot do our jobs every day without those education support professionals, and the fact that they're included is good," said Lisa Morgan with the Georgia Association of Teachers. "This is not a long-term solution to teacher burnout and the teacher shortage, but it is certainly something that will help."
The bonuses will also extend to state employees, including state prison correctional officers. The state has struggled to fill and retain those and other job categories.
"We've got a huge issue with that, with turnover statewide it's around 24%," said Georgia Rep. Matt Hatchett. "And I think this is a step in the right direction."
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