When the state delivers on Gov. Brian Kemp’s promise to provide a one-time $1,000 bonus to every K-12 public teacher and school-level staff member, the Habersham County Board of Education will take it a step further.
In Habersham County, every employee in the school system will receive a one-time $1,000 bonus – not just those in school-level positions, said School Superintendent Matthew Cooper.
“Here’s what our board of education has said: In Habersham County, it should go to everybody,” Cooper said. “I want to publicly thank this board of education for taking that stance. That’s the fair thing to do is that every single employee in this school system should get it. The reality is our board is going to have to locally support some of this.”
Cooper’s remarks following a report by Finance Officer Staci Newsome, who had just told the board the system is in a financially stable position.
Earlier this year, Kemp and State School Superintendent Richard Woods said state bonus payments would be designated for teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, school psychologists, school nurses, custodians, bus drivers, school nutrition staff, media specialists, clerical staff and administrative assistants, school principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, therapists, etc.
The state funds will be allocated to school districts and must be spent on the bonus payments.
In Habersham County, the state list would mean system maintenance, central office, and bus shop personnel would not receive a bonus had the local board of education not stepped up to include every employee.
Cooper said the credit goes to Kemp for pushing the bonus idea.
“It was his idea, and he deserves some credit for that,” Cooper said. “We’re grateful. Gov. Kemp has been very good to public education this year and we want to thank him for that support.”
But he quickly credits the local board with making the decision to be all-inclusive in handing out bonuses.
Cooper said numerous staff members have asked when they might expect the $1,000, but he is unsure when that might be.
The issue is expected to be part of the agenda for the March state board of education meeting, Cooper said.
“As soon as we get those funds from the state, I want those funds disbursed to our employees as quickly as we can possibly do it,” Cooper said.
