Compensation Study

To All Employees:

I am pleased to inform you of exciting compensation updates from the FY17 budget. The budget was developed based on Board goals and the challenge to gain efficiencies, provide funding for quality programs and redirect funding to the schools.  Along with the continuation of the turnaround strategy, signature funding and flexible funding for schools, the Board made an investment in employees.  Cost of living increases, compensation restructure for the Pre-K program and additional funding for pay parity were all included in the final adoption of the budget on June 6, 2016. As a result:

• The Teacher salary schedule will increase by 2%.  The Instructional Support salary schedules will increase by 1%, and Non-Teaching Pay Grades 111 – 150 will increase by 1%.  Employees who are eligible will also receive a step increase.  Employees who did not work the required number of days or who are currently paid beyond the steps on their salary schedule will not be eligible for a step increase.
• The work to address pay parity will continue with the evaluation of external experience for all non-teaching employees.  The FY17 budget includes $4 million for the implementation of Phase 2 of the Compensation Study Recommendations.  Phase 2 will take approximately six months to complete, and salary adjustments will be effective retroactively to the first day of the work year.  Additional information will be coming soon to non-teaching employees to clearly define the steps of the process and the timelines.
• Additional funding is provided for compensation changes in the Pre-K program.  Certified Pre-K teachers will now be paid on the APS teacher salary schedule based on their certification level and years of experience.  Non-certified Pre-K teachers will be paid based on Bright from the Start’s new compensation model, which will include supplements above the base pay rate for years of Pre-K teaching experience.  All non-certified Pre-K teachers will also receive a one-time $5,000 stipend to assist them in obtaining their teaching certification.  Pre-K assistants will now be referred to as Pre-K paraprofessionals and will be paid as an APS paraprofessional on pay grade 114.  Pre-K teachers and paraprofessionals will work a 202-day work schedule. 

As a reminder, annual full time employees will receive their first pay check for FY17 on July 29, 2016, and full time employees working 201, 202, 211 and 231 days will receive their first pay check on August 31, 2016.  In July, 1.) additional information regarding Phase 2 will be distributed to non-teaching employees, 2.) all employees will be notified of their compensation for the upcoming school year and 3.) updated salary and work schedules will be posted on the compensation website. 

Thank you for your continued service and dedication to the students of Atlanta Public Schools. Our compensation team looks forward to implementing these exciting updates and providing regular communication to you over the next few months.

Holly Morales
Executive Director of HR Services
Office of Human Resources
[email protected]