Gwinnett County school system leaders are attempting to attract and retain more teachers through a budget that includes raises for nearly all current teachers and higher starting salaries for new teachers.
The school board voted unanimously Tuesday on a tentative budget that will raise the base pay for a new teacher by about $3,000, to $41,028. The average pay for current teachers will rise by about 4 percent.
The Atlanta, Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Forsyth and Fulton school districts all have higher starting salaries than Gwinnett, officials said.
“Hopefully, it will be a great recruiting tool,” said Rick Cost, Gwinnett’s chief financial officer.
Gwinnett’s budget does not include a property tax increase.
Fulton County school officials, though, unveiled plans Tuesday to raise salaries for its teachers from 4 to 8 percent – depending on their years of service.
Gwinnett board members are scheduled to take a final vote on the budget at a May 28 meeting.
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