Governor Brian Kemp announced Monday that state employees, including teachers, will receive a retention pay supplement of up to $1,000. The bonuses are expected to cost the state around $330 million and will be included in the governor’s amended budget for fiscal year 2024.
In a press release, the governor stated that the bonuses were a way for the state to show its appreciation for employees’ hard work during the pandemic and “unprecedented challenges of the last several years.” The bonuses are also a part of the governor’s efforts to improve the state’s competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent.
“This retention pay supplement will arrive during the holiday season, and it’s part of my administration’s way of showing our appreciation for all that they do,” Kemp said during a press conference announcing the bonuses.
Additional funding for school security
In addition to employee bonuses, the governor also announced that every K-12 public school in the state will receive $45,000 for personnel or infrastructure improvements to strengthen school security. This funding is expected to be ongoing annually and is part of the governor’s goal to make Georgia’s schools the safest in the nation.
“This additional investment in school safety will benefit every part of the state,” continued Governor Kemp, “and it’s just the latest action we’re taking to secure our classrooms and back our law enforcement. This new funding comes on top of the $7,000 teacher pay raise and historic K-12 funding levels we’ve put in place since I took office.”
“I’m proud to join Governor Kemp in providing additional funding for school safety initiatives as well as supplemental pay for our state employees,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “We want every child in our state to have the opportunity to learn, grow and explore in a safe and secure environment, and this proposal will help ensure that happens.
The governor’s office has previously allocated $185 million for school safety grants, including $30,000 for every public school in 2019 and a second round of grants earlier this year, equaling $50,000 per school.
This article was written using assistive AI technology
