Gwinnett Teachers Will Get Raises This Year

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA -- Gwinnett County's public school teachers can expect a raise this year.

Board of Education members told teacher representatives from the county's schools Thursday night that raises are on the way for the third year in a row, the Gwinnett Daily Post reports.

The raises are expected to average 3.8%, board members said, though they stressed that's only a preliminary figure as they enter this year's budgeting process.

During their annual meeting with Gwinnett's Teacher Advisory Council, board members said the raise will be a combination step increase, based on years of experience and education level, and cost-of-living increase.

Reduced austerity cuts by the state equate to a $20 million bump in the county's school budget, Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks said. But because of a healthier county property tax digest, Gwinnett will lose about $18 million in equalization funds, Wilbanks said.

"We are looking at a better year," Wilbanks said, according to the Post. "But in the overall digest picture for us ... while we are getting some more money, and there are some bright spots, we still have some budget challenges."

To read the original report from the Gwinnett Daily Post, click here.