Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is investing more in its teachers and students next school year after considering collective feedback from students, families, staff, community, and the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE). “Preparing a balanced budget requires adaptability, planning, and collaboration. Our team has been able to maximize our resources and we’ve identified additional investments to support students and staff,” shared Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts. “We have been responsive to budget feedback from our community and our Board, and we remain committed to making sustainable, long-term investments that support each and every student within a balanced budget.” 
 
GCPS has adjusted its FY2025 budget, using additional revenue from the state to: 

• Increase staff compensation:  

  • Every teacher will receive a $4,000 salary increase and a longevity step if applicable.  

  • Employees not paid on the teacher salary schedule will receive a minimum 4.25% cost-of-living increase and a longevity step if applicable. 

  • The FY2025 budget includes funding to cover increases in the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) and the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS).  

 

• Increase Literacy Resources:  

  • Funding for the system-wide Multilingual Learner (ML) program initiative and staff, including multilingual program coordinators, biliteracy specialists, translators/interpreters, and a literacy coordinator.  

  • Allocation of additional funds towards Multilingual Learner supports such as extended learning and tutoring.   

  • Purchase of supplementary materials to support teachers of elementary ML students with language acquisition. 

 

• Increase College and Career Readiness Supports: 

  • Funding for staff and support services to increase student access to rigorous coursework and to support federal and state requirements for on-time graduation. 

  • Fully funding the SAT for All program (previously funded by ESSER).  

  • Addition of graduation coaches for each cluster 

 

• Bolster School Safety Measures  

  • Continued funding for cybersecurity protection, air filtration, and additional support for maintenance operations, funding through Capital Projects to modernize school intercom systems, and grant funding for safety and security initiatives at every school.  

  • Additional funding for training and implementation support for behavior interventions for teachers and school leaders. 

 

     The adjusted proposed FY2025 Total Budget is approximately $3.2 billion, a slight increase from last year’s budget. The General Fund budget covers the school district's primary day-to-day operations and accounts for 79% of the budget. The additional $32 million in investments in the adjusted proposed FY2025 budget are strategically aligned with the district’s long-term plan. These investments are a direct response to feedback from the Gwinnett County Board of Education and the community budget survey. Teacher salaries and benefits and school safety, which were identified as the highest budget priorities from the survey, are being addressed. Additionally, the budget focuses on purchasing and/or expanding the use of high-quality instructional materials and professional development for teachers and administrators. 

 

     On June 20, 2024, the BOE will hold the second Public Budget Hearing for the FY2025 budget at 6:00 p.m., before its business meeting. During the business meeting, the board will vote on the final FY2025 Budget and will tentatively decide on the millage rate. GCPS Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts is asking the board to approve a reduction in the operation millage rate for FY2025 from 19.20 to 19.10. This reduction in the millage rate, coupled with new homestead exemptions, should provide some property tax relief to homeowners.