On Thursday, July 15, the Gwinnett County Board of Education voted to amend its Fiscal Year 2022 budget, increasing the cost-of-living salary increase for all employees paid on the teacher salary scale from $1,000 to $2,000. This change will be reflected on the FY22 Teacher Salary Scale with every step on the scale increasing by $2,000. This brings the starting salary for a new teacher in Gwinnett who holds a bachelor’s degree to $48,646. Last year, starting teachers in Gwinnett County Public Schools made $46,646. This salary improvement adjusts the salaries for all teachers, including veteran Gwinnett teachers, by $2,000 over what they earned last year.

In making his recommendation to the School Board, CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks indicated the district reassessed the amount of the cost-of-living increase for teachers based on updated information it received regarding Gwinnett County’s property tax digest. He explained, “The digest came in at a greater rate than anticipated last year and we are experiencing greater growth this year than the district initially budgeted. With this information, I was comfortable in recommending a change to our pay scale for teachers.

“Our teachers are the backbone of the school district and we must continue to look for ways to better compensate them for the critical work they do. This salary adjustment allows Gwinnett County Public Schools to do just that. In addition to sending a clear message that the district values its educators, this change positions the district so that its pay for teachers remains competitive with other districts in the metro Atlanta area.”

This change will be reflected in teachers’ first check for the contract year in August.

The 2% cost-of-living increase for all employees not paid on the teacher salary scale remains in the budget and is unchanged.