On early Friday, the Cobb County School District Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2022 budget overseen by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. With the approval, all non-temporary Cobb County staff will receive between a 4-8.6% raise this upcoming 2021-2022 school year.
“The salary increase for every single non-temporary employee, of 4 to 8.6%, is a small way to say thank you to our entire team, especially our teachers. You have heard me say it often; we have two types of employees: teachers and those who support those who teach. It has taken every single Team member to get through this year, and I could not be prouder of our Team,” said Superintendent Ragsdale.
While all employees will see a 4% rise in their salary, specific employee raises that will fall between 4 and 8.6% will be evaluated based on current roles and eligibility. Applicable Employees should expect the pay raise to begin at the start of the next fiscal year, which begins July 1st.
This fiscal year’s proposed changes will allegedly not take funds from the CARES act.
“We are grateful for the district’s wise financial management that protects the Cobb taxpayer’s dollar while providing a world-class education. It is important that our priorities are reflected in how we spend our money, and both students and staff are clearly priorities in this budget,” said Board Chair Randy Scamihorn.
Cobb County’s recent approval of this pay raise is on the heels of the resolution passed by the Cobb County School Board this week that effectively banned critical race theory from being taught in schools. Whether this is just a stunt to deflect from Cobb County’s backlash this week from their stances on critical race theory remains to be seen. However, this pay raise is sure to help many staff members who have had to endure a rather challenging academic year.
While teachers have had to navigate many obstacles in their careers, nothing will come close to the challenge of educating students in a pandemic.