Alignment of FY27 Budget Initiatives with Strategic Priorities
In July 2022, the Board of Education adopted the strategic plan to be implemented from 2022-2027 — Our Blueprint for the Future. This Blueprint defines the transformational work of Gwinnett County Public Schools. Gwinnett County Public Schools is committed to fostering a learning environment where each and every student thrives. Guided by our core beliefs and commitments, we shape our practices to ensure that all learners feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential in a global society.
The table below demonstrates how the proposed FY27 Budget is aligned with our strategic plan and core beliefs & commitments.
|
Initiatives |
FY27 Strategic Plan Implementation Focus |
FY27 Focus Area Alignment |
Strategic Priority Alignment |
Core Beliefs & Commitments |
ROI Metric |
Funding Source |
% of Total Initiatives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A salary step increase for all eligible employees. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 13.0% |
| A $1,000 increase for all employees paid on the teacher salary schedule. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 10.3% |
| A 2.0% cost-of-living increase for eligible employees not paid on the teacher schedule. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 7.3% |
| A one-time retention supplement of $2,000 for eligible employees (subject to State appropriation) | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing |
Goal 3.B: Talent management Goal 1.C: Educator diversity |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 23.6% |
| 5 additional contract work days for Assistant Principals | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 3.B: Talent management Goal 1.C: Educator diversity |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 1.2% |
| $1.50/hour increase for Paraprofessionals | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 3.B: Talent management Goal 1.C: Educator diversity |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 3.7% |
| $1.00/hour increase for Bus Drivers/Managers/Monitors | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing |
Goal 3.B: Talent management Goal 1.C: Educator diversity |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 1.9% |
| Increased Substitute Teacher Tiered Incentive structure: 45-59 days worked = $500, 60-74 days worked = $750, 75-90 days worked = $1,000 |
Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing |
Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 3.B: Talent management |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Substitute fill rate | General | 0.4% |
| Funding the rate increase for the employer-paid portion of the state health benefit plan. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 19.5% |
| Funding the mandatory rate increase for the employer-paid portion of TRS contributions. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 3.8% |
| Funding the mandatory rate increase for the employer-paid GRS contributions. | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Staff Wellbeing | Goal 3.B: Talent management | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Staff surveys, retention rates | General | 0.5% |
| Launch K–1 Summer Literacy Camp at 5 Promise Schools (Lawrenceville, Norcross, Rockbridge, Stripling, Rosebud (federally identified)) | Literacy and Academic Excellence: Accelerating Early and Sustained Learning | Increase the percentage of students reading on grade | Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports | Equity Benefits All, Students are the Center of Every Decision, Excellence Is for Everyone, Promote Opportunity and Agency, Provide World-Class Learning for Global Readiness | Pre-summer and post-summer reading assessments, Fall reading level compared to spring baseline, attendance rates in summer program, return to on-grade-level reading rates, comparison data: participants vs. non-participants | General | 0.6% |
| Student-teacher ratio reduction pilot in grades 1–2 at 5 Promise Schools (Baldwin, Hopkins, Meadowcreek, Nesbit, Simonton) | Literacy and Academic Excellence: Accelerating Early and Sustained Learning | Increase the percentage of students reading on grade | Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports | Students are the Center of Every Decision,Learning Should Reflect and Respect Every Student, Excellence Is for Everyone, Cultivate a Culture of Excellence, Provide World-Class Learning for Global Readiness | Increase the % of students meeting literacy benchmarks for grades 1-2 as measured by iREADY (growth), increase the % of students on-track for grade progression (iREADY, Milestones, common formative assessments, etc.), decrease in achievement gaps between student groups | General | 0.4% |
| Intensive Reading Program for identified students at 3 Promise Schools - based on two-years of data (Radloff, Moore, Summerour) | Literacy and Academic Excellence: Accelerating Early and Sustained Learning | Literacy and Academic Excellence: Accelerating Early and Sustained Learning |
Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports Goal 2.B: Opportunity and access Goal 3.B: Talent management |
Lifelong Learning Is Essential, Collaboration Drives Our Success, Provide World-Class Learning for Global Readiness | Pre/post reading level assessments, credit recovery and completion rates | General | 0.1% |
| Expand early learning full day programming in high-need areas and expand co-teaching classrooms at designated schools | Each and Every Student: Strengthening MTSS and Targeted Supports |
Increase percentage of students reading on grade level Early Learning Expansion |
Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports Goal 2.B: Opportunity and access |
Equity Benefits All, Students are the Center of Every Decision, Excellence Is for Everyone, Promote Opportunity and Agency | Child Find, Pre-K student assessment scores (including KREP), coordinated transition to Kindergarten, stronger alignment to K-5 curriculum, more effective implementation of co-teach model, efficient delivery of related services, parent satisfaction surveys, iReady scores in the Kindergarten year | General | 2.5% |
| Increase number of dedicated ML Instructional Specialists at each level in multiyear phased approach, Implement 9th and 10th Grade Lit and Comp instructional materials with embedded ML support for both sheltered and non-sheltered courses, Increase Inclusive Practices and Pilot Inclusive Education Model |
Each and Every Student: Strengthening MTSS and Targeted Supports |
Strengthen MTSS implementation and leadership accountability across all schools. Provide targeted, differentiated supports for schools with the greatest needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Improve coordination across multilingual, gifted, and special education |
Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports | Equity Benefits All, Students are the Center of Every Decision, Excellence Is for Everyone, Promote Opportunity and Agency, Belonging Builds Strong Schools and Strong Communities, Foster a Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Environment | Increased percentage of students served in the general education setting at least 80% of the school day, 3% percentage of SWD who are P/D on all summative tests taken, iReady Diagnostic data | General | 1.3% |
| Computer Science / STEM Specials (CS4All), opportunities for competition robotics teams |
College and Career Readiness: Building Early Momentum Toward Graduation |
College and Career Readiness |
Goal 2.B: Opportunity and access Goal 4.B: Postsecondary and workforce readiness |
Excellence is for Everyone, Promote Opportunity and Agency | On-time / on-budget of projects | Capital | 1.2% |
| PSAT 8/9 provided to all 8th grade students at no cost, PSAT/NMQST and SAT provided at no cost to 11th graders |
College and Career Readiness: Building Early Momentum Toward Graduation |
College and Career Readiness |
Goal 2.B Equity: Opportunity & Access Goal 4.B Excellence: Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness |
Make Data-Driven Decisions, Promote Opportunity & Agency | Increase on CCRPI Indicator: Readiness score on ACT, SAT, AP, IB, or Cambridge; Increase on KPI: Post-secondary assessment participation and college readiness | General | 0.7% |
| Evolv Weapons Detection Pilot (1 ES per Board district) | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing Goal 2A: Multi-tiered system of supports |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Weapons/Contraband Found, qualitative data from school/community | Grant | 0.5% |
| School Security Officers (day-long Evolv lanes) for Middle and High School | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Weapons/Contraband Found, qualitative data from school/community. The MS and HS SSO, coupled with the daylong EVOLV lanes, serves as a deterrent to crisis events and a dedicated person assigned to proactively avoid crisis. The absence of crisis events is an ROI. | Grant | 1.3% |
| Continue providing School Security Officers until each ES has an SRO | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools | Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Weapons/Contraband Found, qualitative data from school/community. The MS and HS SSO, coupled with the daylong EVOLV lanes, serves as a deterrent to crisis events and a dedicated person assigned to proactively avoid crisis. The absence of crisis events is an ROI. | Grant | 1.2% |
| Additional Evolv equipment for 2 middle schools (Baycreek MS and Creekland MS) with facility needs and Murphy MS | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing Goal 2A: Multi-tiered system of supports |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Weapons/Contraband Found; Qualitative Data from school/community. Additionally, EVOLV lanes, serve as a deterrent to crisis events. The absence of crisis events is an ROI. | Grant | 0.3% |
| Evolv operations at athletic events | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools | Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing | Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Safety and security for all stakeholders who attend our largest athletic events. | Grant | 0.1% |
| Suicide prevention education (Grade 9) | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing Goal 2A: Multi-tiered system of supports |
Belonging Builds Strong Schools and Strong Communities, Promote Opportunity, and Agency. Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Because its mandated, counselors must track that every 5th, 7th, and 9th grader attends the lesson. Usage reports provide percentage of targeted grade‑level students receiving and completing required prevention lessons focused on bullying, abuse prevention, and personal safety, ensuring equitable exposure across schools. Provides numbers of students exposed to lessons to promote increased student knowledge/awareness and help‑seeking behaviors. | Grant | 0.1% |
| 15 additional SROs for Elementary Schools | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1B: Staff and Student Wellbeing Goal 2A: Multi-tiered system of supports |
Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Parent, staff, and student safety | Grant | 1.6% |
| 2 Middle School athletics facility expansion sites (Dacula MS and Duluth MS) | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools | Goal 4.A: Preferred education destination | Promote Opportunity and Agency | On-time / on budget delivery of improvements, field usage | Capital | 0.4% |
| 4 additional Social Workers to reduce caseload | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1.C: Educator diversity Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports. |
Belonging Builds Strong Schools and Strong Communities/ Promote Opportunity and Agency. Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Synergy Tracking Activity is used to determine student access and support and captures number of supports offered and notes in the areas of (Academic Support, Attendance, Economic, Family, Foster Care/Homeless, Health/Medical, Homicidal/Suicidal Ideation, Peer Concerns) Chronic Absenteeism, supported provided by a SBMH Clinician, or Community Resource Agency. | Grant | 0.3% |
| Clinical therapeutic services expansion | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools |
Goal 1.C: Educator diversity Goal 2.A: Multi-tiered system of supports. |
Belonging Builds Strong Schools and Strong Communities/ Promote Opportunity and Agency. Foster a Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Environment | Usage Reports, student wellness surveys, & lowered absenteeism rate | Grant | 0.4% |
| Transportation modernization system including parent app | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools | Goal 3.C: Educational return on investmentGoal 4.C: World-class communication andengagement | Foster a Safe, Supportive, and Inclusive Environment |
Efficient management of driver base hours and overtime Improved visibility to real time data and on-time pick-up and delivery, access to real-time information for parents/guardians and students. |
Capital | 1.7% |
| New professional learning system | Safe and Welcoming Schools: Creating Conditions for Learning and Wellbeing | Safe and Welcoming Schools | Goal 3.B Talent management | Lifelong Learning Is Essential, Collaboration Drives Our Success, Provide World-Class Learning for Global Readiness | Accurate system of documented professional learning hours for all employees according to policy, PD alignment with priorities and alignment | General | 0.3% |