Marietta City Schools to Give Up to $2,000 Bonuses to All Employees

The school board voted unanimously to provide bonuses to all eligible permanent staff, including support roles like custodians and bus drivers.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print depicting a repeating grid of iconic school objects like textbooks, cafeteria trays, and a school bus, rendered in a vibrant neon color palette with heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the diverse roles that make up a school community.Marietta City Schools' decision to provide $2,000 bonuses to all of its permanent employees, from teachers to custodians, celebrates the vital contributions of the entire school community.Marietta Today

Following the passage of the amended state budget, Marietta City Schools announced that its board of education had voted unanimously to provide $2,000 bonuses to all eligible permanent employees, including not just certified educators but also support staff like bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and custodians. The district is committing an additional $945,000 from its own budget to ensure all eligible employees receive the bonuses before spring break.

Why it matters

This move by Marietta City Schools goes beyond the state's bonus allocation, which was limited to certified educators and select support staff. By using district funds to expand the bonuses to all permanent employees, the school board is demonstrating its deep appreciation for the entire team that contributes to student success, from teachers to custodians.

The details

The Marietta Board of Education voted on Tuesday to provide the $2,000 bonuses to all eligible permanent employees. While the state budget only allocated funds for bonuses to certified educators and select support staff, the district is committing an additional $945,000 from its own budget to ensure all eligible permanent employees, including part-time workers, receive either a $2,000 or $1,000 bonus.

  • The board voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 to provide the bonuses.
  • The bonuses will be distributed to employees before the start of spring break on April 2, 2026.

The players

Marietta City Schools

A public school district serving the city of Marietta, Georgia.

Jaillene Hunter

Chair of the Marietta Board of Education and a member of the Georgia Council on Literacy.

Grant Rivera, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Marietta City Schools.

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What they’re saying

“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. We value every employee in this district, and the role they play in our students' success, and this vote reflects that deep appreciation.”

— Jaillene Hunter, Board Chair, Marietta City Schools

“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. 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.”

— Grant Rivera, Ed.D., Superintendent, Marietta City Schools

What’s next

The district is also working to provide the bonuses to school resource officers assigned to Marietta City Schools.

The takeaway

Marietta City Schools is setting an example by using its own funds to expand state-provided bonuses to all of its permanent employees, recognizing the vital contributions of everyone from teachers to custodians in supporting student success. This move demonstrates the district's deep appreciation for its entire workforce.