Fulton County Schools found a unique way to thank employees in celebration of the district's score on the state's report card.
The school board announced Thursday that it will provide a one-time stipend of $83.80 to every current full-time employee who worked for the district during the 2018-2019 school year. Part-time employees will receive half that amount.
The gesture will cost the district $869,341.
The extra pay is a token of appreciation after the district received a score of 83.8 on the state's 2019 College and Career Ready Performance Index, or CCRPI, which is partly based on students' standardized test results. A perfect CCRPI score is a 100. The average statewide score was a 75.9.
The 2019 Fulton score is an increase of 2.8 points over the previous year.
Board President Linda Bryant said the stipend is “one little way of saying we appreciate you” to staff.
“We also want you to set your goals next year and set them much, much higher,” she said.
Board member Katie Reeves said at Thursday’s meeting that the amount spent on the stipends was within the district’s compensation budget.
Employees will be taxed on the extra pay.