Historical Teacher Salary Increase Announced by Atlanta Board of Education
The Board of Education for Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has announced a historic raise in teacher pay, enhancing the Atlanta education system. This news comes as the Board approves the 2025 APS budget, which includes a generous 11 percent increase in teacher pay, along with a cost-of-living adjustment of 3 to 5 percent for all district staff.
The APS Board of Education sees the highest teacher pay increment in its history with the approval of this budget. The aim is to rightly acknowledge the efforts of teachers and staff who go above and beyond to make certain students in the district have access to quality education and support.
Behind the Historical Increment
Making this groundbreaking increase feasible is the exemplary leadership of Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle, CFO Lisa Bracken, Board Chair Erika Mitchell, along with the dedication of Budget Commission Chair Katie Howard, and Budget Commission Members Cynthia Briscoe Brown and Alfred Shivy Brooks. Their unified vision of enhancing teacher pay and fostering a better professional environment for educators and staff was instrumental in driving this decision forward.
Commenting on this significant increase, Mitchell stated, “This budget process kept the well-being of our educators at the forefront. The budget is an important tool for improving student outcomes and improving teacher morale, and aligning it with our needs and priorities makes a strong impact on our students.”
What Else is in the APS 2025 Budget?
Besides teacher pay rises, the approved 2025 budget also includes other significant allocations. These include $11.8 million dedicated to the Superintendent’s “Readers are Leaders” initiative, with the aim to ensure all students are reading at grade level. $9 million is allocated towards Special Education, meeting one of the district’s top needs. $15.4 million goes to a new in-house Nutrition Program, dedicating $720,000 to Safety and Security, and a separate provision of $7.8 million to create an additional position in every school to holistically support students.
The source of these added funds can be traced to the decision to make reductions in the APS’s Central Office staff in a bid to allocate more funds to schools.
Creating a Solid Foundation with the 2025 Budget
Calling the budget “a true team effort,” Budget Commission Chair Katie Howard emphasized the role of Superintendent Battle and her colleagues in this process. The 2025 budget, she said, creates a firm foundation for significantly increasing student growth and outcomes. Looking forward to the 2026 budget, Howard mentioned a sharpened focus on reflecting the most critical needs of the current school population.
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