Atlanta Public Schools (APS) recently came under fire for their initial plan to incorporate the state bonus for teachers into a holiday retention bonus. However, following backlash and concerns raised by State Superintendent Richard Woods, APS is now awaiting guidance on the correct distribution method. This development comes in the wake of Governor Kemp’s pledge to award $1,000 bonuses to education employees.
According to a news report by Atlanta News First, Woods expressed his confusion in a letter: “Frankly, I am baffled by the assertion that Atlanta Public Schools (APS) somehow predicted the exact timing and amount of a bonus that had not been finalized or announced at the time of the district-level payments — particularly since this payment does not align with the timing of the retention payments made in past years. I find it even more inconceivable that, in this season of giving, APS would not welcome the opportunity for its teachers and educational support staff to be recognized by the state for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of students this year.”
Woods also revealed, as reported by Atlanta First News, that he had received numerous emails and calls from concerned APS educators regarding the state bonus.
11Alive News reports that they contacted APS seeking information on their intentions with these funds. In response, an APS spokesperson stated that their goal was to reward teachers and staff before the holiday break while maintaining fiscal responsibility. They also reaffirmed the district’s commitment to distributing any additional funds as per Governor Kemp’s proposal and stated they were awaiting clarification on which employee categories would be eligible for this bonus.
According to 11Alive News, Governor Kemp confirmed that state and university employees would receive their bonuses by month-end. The governor’s office further clarified that while school districts would determine when teachers and support staff receive their bonuses, these bonuses should be distributed by year-end.
