Atlanta Public Schools (APS) today announced that all current employees across the district will receive a one-time bonus of up to $2,000, an investment that reflects deep appreciation for the people who make APS work every single day. The stipend will be distributed on April 15, 2026.

From classrooms to cafeterias, front offices to facilities, this investment reaches across APS—extending beyond teachers to include the many team members who are essential to student success but are often left out of moments like this.

“This is about recognizing the full APS team,” said Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. “The state made an important investment in educators, but here in Atlanta, we decided to go further. We expanded that investment to include employees across our district, because it takes every single one of us to support our students, every single day. I’m grateful to our Board for their leadership and commitment to our employees.”

This opportunity builds upon the State of Georgia’s Amended FY2026 Budget. On March 3, 2026, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 973, which included a one-time $2,000 supplement for eligible K–12 teachers and school support staff statewide. During its April 2, 2026 meeting, the Atlanta Board of Education voted to expand the impact and extend the stipend to eligible APS employees across all classifications, including those who would not have been eligible under the state’s original framework.

“This was a clear priority for the Board,” said Board Chair Jessica Johnson. “We saw an opportunity to expand this investment and make sure it reached the full APS team, not just a portion of it. Our employees show up for our students every day, and this was our opportunity to show up for them.”

The stipend will be distributed based on employment status, with most full-time employees receiving up to $2,000 and part-time, substitute, and hourly employees receiving prorated amounts.

 Eligibility and Distribution

Eligible APS employees will receive the bonus based on the following criteria:

●        Full-time employees (.5 FTE or greater): Up to $2,000

●        Part-time employees (49% or less): Prorated based on work percentage

●        Substitute and hourly employees: Eligible for up to $1,000, based on days worked

Employees must be active as of January 2, 2026, or on approved FMLA status to qualify. Additional eligibility requirements apply.