Governor Brian Kemp announced on Monday, Dec. 18, that the state would provide a $1,000 retention bonus for state employees and for all state-funded K-12 teachers and support staff positions.
"Throughout the pandemic, a summer of unrest, and the unprecedented challenges of the last several years, our state employees have worked hard, taken on additional challenges, remained committed to serving their fellow Georgians, and become more streamlined so we can remain the best state for opportunity," said Governor Brian Kemp. "This retention pay supplement will arrive during the holiday season, and it’s part of my administration’s way of showing our appreciation for all that they do."
Please see the following information from Bulloch County Schools about how funds will be distributed to its employees:
Based on the directive from the Governor's Office, on Tuesday, December 19, State Superintendent Richard Woods and the Georgia Department of Education's finance director notified all school superintendents and their finance directors that GaDOE would prepare the special allotment and guidance for the funds and their intended eligible positions.
The GaDOE also noted that since many districts were already on break for the holidays or had already run their December payroll, it was permissible to make these payments in January.
On January 3, after Bulloch County Schools had received all details from the state, Superintendent Charles Wilson sent an email to all school district employees announcing that the bonuses for our district would be paid out on Thursday, January 11.
Mr. Wilson also announced that with the Board of Education's support, the district would distribute the retention bonus to all Bulloch County Board of Education-approved employees, not just positions funded by the state.
While the funding received from the state only covers positions funded by the state, the Bulloch County school district will cover the rest of the cost locally to ensure that no board-approved employees are left out. The total amount is estimated to be about $1.7 million, with the state covering about 75% of the cost and the district covering the remainder. The district plans to handle this bonus with the same protocol it has used in the past.
FAQ
- When will the supplement be paid?
- The $1,000 supplement will be paid on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
- The supplement will be deposited into the same bank account that you currently have set up with our Payroll Department as your primary account or a check will be mailed to you if direct deposit does not apply.
- Because the supplement will be paid as a one-time payment in mid-January, you will NOT receive it in your regular paycheck.
- Who is eligible for the supplement?
- All Board-Approved Bulloch County Schools employees who are employed as of December 15, 2023.
- Temporary employees who are not Board-approved will not be eligible for the supplement. Substitutes are considered temporary employees and thus are not eligible for the supplement.
- All eligible employees who are out on any type of leave (paid, unpaid, workers comp, FMLA, COVID, etc.) will receive the supplement.
- Will the supplement be prorated for eligible employees who work less than 100%?
- Yes. All eligible employees will receive a prorated supplement based on their FTE. For example, 49% retirees will receive a $490 retention bonus.
- Is the supplement considered income?
- The supplement is considered income and will be included on your 2024 W2.
- Is the supplement subject to taxation, garnishment and TRS?
- Yes, all applicable taxes will be withheld from the supplement.
- Yes, the supplement will be subject to garnishment in accordance with court rules. If your wages are garnished under a Magistrate Court or State Court order, an IRS levy, or a student loan garnishment (not a defaulted DOE loan), then your supplement will be included as earnings and used to calculate the garnished amount.
- No, the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia has determined that this income is not “normal” earnable compensation based on Title 47 in state law and, therefore, will not be considered earnable compensation for TRS purposes.
