Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale recently announced two separate $600 retention bonuses for eligible employees of the food and nutrition services department.

Food service workers who are employed by Oct. 25 and continue through the new year are eligible for a bonus in January. Those employed by February who remain through June 1 can earn another bonus in June, according to the school district website.

All food and nutrition services employees, including kitchen and district-level staff as well as maintenance and warehouse teams, are eligible for the bonuses, according to the school district.

Starting pay is $13.55 per hour but increases for those with previous food service experience.

Experts have reported national shortages of school cafeteria workers, bus drivers and substitute teachers along with relatively low-paying positions in other industries.

About the Author

Keep Reading

People hold candles and sing during a memorial and prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Washington. (Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com