Gwinnett County Schools: More money for teachers, special education and STEAM programs

Gwinnett County school district administrators Saturday discussed its $2.1 billion proposed budget for the next school year with board members.

Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks spotlighted some areas that need additional funding, such as aging school buses, technology for students and textbooks.

Here are some people and areas that will receive more money in the budget:

• Teachers. Nearly 95 percent of them will receive a salary step increase. The board last month approve the first phase of a new teacher compensation plan with the long-term goal of rewarding educators it concludes are excelling in the classroom.
• Special Education. Gwinnett plans to hire more teachers, counselors and other personnel as the school district educates more students with mental and physical disabilities.
• STEAM programs. Administrators plan to start Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics academies at Pinckneyville and Summerour middle schools.