(The Center Square) – More money for teachers and safer schools for students are on the Georgia Department of Education’s legislative wish list for 2026.
The department wants funding for a police officer in every school and an additional $10,000 in raises for teachers and staff over the next five years.
The department also wants to give every teacher a “duty free lunch” each school day, or provide compensation for those who supervise students during lunch.
The proposal calls for extending automatic pay “step increases” for educators beyond the current 21 years of service. The Education Department is also requesting to restore pay increases for educators who obtain a degree in leadership.
Other legislative goals are to establish a statewide attendance officer and to expand “cellphone distraction free” legislation to grades 9-12.
“From supporting the whole child and strengthening our educator workforce to modernizing school funding and expanding opportunities from classroom to career, these priorities reflect our continued commitment to students, educators, and local communities,” Superintendent Richard Woods said in a news release. “I look forward to working alongside Governor Kemp and the General Assembly to build on Georgia’s strong foundation and advance our shared vision of making Georgia the top state for talent.”
Georgia has 1.7 million public school students in grades K-12.
The state graduation this year hit a record high of 87.2% and student test scores on the SAT and ACT are above the national average, the department said.
Education has the largest budget of any state agency, at $13.7 billion in state funds, which is more than a third of the total state budget.
In 2024, a student at Apalachee High School in Georgia shot and killed two teachers and two students.
“Two on-site officers confronted and arrested him within two minutes,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in his 2025 State of the State speech in January. “Those two school resource officers saved many lives at Apalachee High School on that horrific day and have more than earned our enduring gratitude.”
With an average teacher salary of $67,641, Georgia ranked 23rd in the nation in 2023, according to the National Education Association.
