Gwinnett County school board members Thursday evening unanimously approved its first $2 billion fiscal year budget, a plan that includes raises for teachers and more money for some maintenance improvements.
The budget increased spending by about 1.8 percent. Last year’s budget was $1.988 billion.
Much of the increased cost comes from the state's health care plan, which has risen for Gwinnett by about 20 percent over the last five school years. The expected cost per employee is on average $99 a month to cover their health costs, officials said.
All full-time workers will receive a 2 percent cost-of-living increase. Board members last month adopted a teacher compensation plan that will also boost salaries.
The budget does not include a property tax increase.
Gwinnett, with about 178,000 students, is the state’s largest public school district.
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