News Summary
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has confirmed significant pay raises for frontline employees, including a 10% salary increase for bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals. School nurses will also see pay adjustments, with registered nurses receiving a 1% raise and licensed practical nurses a 2% increase. The total financial impact of these changes is expected to be around $9.3 million, reflecting APS’s commitment to supporting its staff and enhancing the educational experience for its 50,000 students across 87 campuses.
Atlanta – Atlanta Public Schools (APS) has announced that frontline employees will receive pay raises starting in the upcoming fiscal year 2026. This decision affects a significant segment of the school district’s workforce, including bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals, who will receive a 10% salary increase.
Additionally, school nurses will also see adjustments to their pay. Registered nurses will receive a 1% salary raise, while licensed practical nurses will benefit from a 2% increase. In conjunction with these raises, all APS employees will receive a salary step increment for the upcoming school year. The total financial investment for these pay increases is approximately $9.3 million.
Last year, APS recognized the contribution of teachers by awarding them an 11% salary raise, the largest increase in over a decade. This consistent effort underscores the district’s commitment to invest in its staff who contribute directly to the education and well-being of APS’s students.
APS serves around 50,000 students across 87 campuses, which include 59 neighborhood schools, five partner schools, 19 charter schools, two single-gender academies, and two alternative programs. The school district has a diverse range of educational institutions that cater to various student needs.
The specifics regarding the exact date for the pay raises have not been disclosed. However, these adjustments are part of a broader initiative to reallocate budget resources for the fiscal year 2026. The aim is to enhance the financial compensation of essential staff members, particularly those who play a pivotal role in the educational experience.
Employees in positions such as bus drivers have expressed that these raises represent a valuable recognition of their essential role in supporting student experiences within the educational environment. Their contributions are vital, not only for transporting students but also for ensuring the overall safety and accessibility of education.
The Superintendent of APS, Dr. Bryan Johnson, has conveyed appreciation to the Atlanta Board of Education for their continual backing of financial initiatives aimed at enriching the staff’s professional lives. The ongoing investment in human resources aligns with the district’s objective of fostering quality education by ensuring that the staff feels valued and compensated fairly for their efforts.
This increase in financial support comes at a time when many districts worldwide are reassessing their budgets and prioritizing staff pay to ensure retention and satisfaction among existing employees. By focusing on frontline staff, APS is taking steps to create a more supportive working environment that can positively impact student outcomes.
APS made these salary adjustments following extensive evaluations of their budget allocations, reflecting a broader strategy to prioritize direct educational services by enhancing the compensation of those who contribute significantly to students’ daily experiences.
As Atlanta Public Schools moves forward with these planned salary increases, they set a precedent for other districts to consider similar initiatives that bolster staff morale and effectiveness. This focus on investment in human capital is crucial for sustaining the quality of education and attracting new talent to the district.
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Additional Resources
- WSB-TV: Atlanta Public Schools Give Employees 10% Raises
- Fox 5 Atlanta: Atlanta Public Schools Announces Pay Raise for Frontline Workers
- Atlanta News First: Many APS Employees Get Raises for New School Year
- MSN: Atlanta Public Schools to Give Employees 10% Raises
- Google Search: Atlanta Public Schools raises

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