Gwinnett County teachers will not get $2K retention payment, board cites lack of state funding

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Gwinnett County Public Schools employees were told Monday that a proposed $2,000 one-time retention payment will not be provided this year because state funding was not included in the approved state budget.

In an internal message to teachers and staff, the district said it does not have the money in its current budget to provide the payment independently.

“The supplement was contingent on funding from the State of Georgia. That funding was not included in the approved state budget, and GCPS does not have funding available in its current budget to provide the supplement independently,” the memo said. “We recognize this news may be disappointing. We value the dedication of our teachers and staff and understand the importance of compensation in attracting and retaining the talented professionals who serve our students every day.”

The district’s fiscal year 2027 budget said the payments were intended for “teachers, custodians, school nutrition workers, bus drivers, school nurses, school counselors and other staff.”

In March, Gov. Brian Kemp signed an amended fiscal year 2026 state budget authorizing one-time $2,000 supplemental payments for eligible educators and state employees.

Verdaillia Turner, president of the Georgia Federation of Teachers and Atlanta Federation of Teachers, said, “Those teachers are disappointed.”

“The superintendent and school board is just going to have to tell it how it is. Tell them where the money went, where the money is, and who is shortchanging Georgia,” Turner said.

The district’s fiscal year 2027 budget also lists a $1,000 salary increase for all teachers, funded by the district. Employees who are not teachers will receive a 2.0% cost-of-living increase.