Raises, One-Time Payments Approved For Fulton County School Staff

ATLANTA — Fulton County Schools is raising its minimum wage to $16 for hourly employees as part of a mid-year that all employees will enjoy.

At a work session Tuesday, the School Board reviewed the $28.7 million plan that included one-time payments and salary and wage increases that would, among other things, boost pay for between 1,500 and 1,800 of the county’s lowest-paid employees.

The plan followed a review of pay for the 10 school districts surrounding Fulton County that showed “rigorous competition for top talent.”

“We have a map problem”, said Chief Talent Officer Ron Wade. “No other district faces the challenges in staffing that Fulton County Schools faces due to our geography. But, with this action, Fulton County Schools becomes one of the very few, if not the only metro district to truly address a living wage for our employees by lifting starting pay to $16 per hour.”

The full package includes a one-time payment for all FCS staff, including $1,200 for full-time employees and $600 for part-time employees to go out on Dec. 17, a one-time payment of $250 at the end of the school year for substitute teachers who worked at least 20 days, a retention stipend for school leaders like principals, executive directors and chief officers, and a mid-year step increase for all employees reflecting a salary boost averaging 2.3 percent.

“Given that we have been understaffed this year and everyone has worked hard to fill the void, we are providing this investment in you, to acknowledge and thank you,” Fulton Schools Superintendent Mike Looney said in a message to school employees.

The school board unanimously approved funding for the payouts at Tuesday’s executive meeting.