Are Georgia teachers getting raise or one-time bonus?

Former Pelham City, Ga., school superintendent Jim Arnold says the so-called 3 percent raise coming to teachers from Gov. Nathan Deal is actually a mirage.

While the governor is urging new education dollars approved this year go to teacher raises, some districts say they have to use the funds to shore up programs, staff and services eliminated or reduced as a result of ongoing state austerity cuts. Even if districts use the money to award their teachers a 3 percent pay boost, it may only be this year because the raise was not hardwired into the state salary schedule.

“If the governor really wanted to give teachers a raise, it would be simple. He could do what every other governor has done to raise teacher pay; make adjustments to the state salary schedule,” says Arnold. “So is the governor giving teachers a raise or is it an incentive for teachers to look a little more favorably on the Opportunity School District?”