Marietta City Schools extends Governor's educator bonus to all eligible employees

MARIETTA, GA — Every eligible permanent employee in Marietta City Schools will receive a bonus after the Board of Education unanimously voted Tuesday morning to extend Governor Kemp's one-time $2,000 full-time educator supplement districtwide.

The move covers employees the state funding left out. Governor Kemp signed the supplement into law as part of Georgia's Amended FY2026 budget, but the state allocation only reaches certified educators and select support staff. To close the gap, the Board committed $945,000 in district funds to make sure all eligible permanent employees are included in the bonus — $2,000 for full-time and $1,000 for part-time.

"Governor Kemp’s investment in educators has made a meaningful difference, and we are truly grateful for the $9,500 in pay increases and the total of $3,000 in bonuses he has extended to educators during his tenure,” said Board Chair Jaillene Hunter, who also serves on the Georgia Council on Literacy. “We value every employee in this district, and the role they play in our students’ success, and this vote reflects that deep appreciation.”

The district's decision to extend the bonus with local funds is not new. Marietta City Schools has consistently used district dollars to fill gaps in state-funded bonuses, ensuring all eligible employees are included.

"I think about our custodians, our parapros, our bus drivers, our cafeteria staff — the people who make our schools feel like home every single day," said Superintendent Grant Rivera, Ed.D.

"The state's investment was significant, and I'm grateful to Governor Kemp for it. But our Board made sure it didn't stop with some of our
team. It reaches all of our team. That's what I'm most proud of." 

The Board held a special-called meeting so that all eligible employees would be paid on Thursday, April 2, ahead of Spring Break.