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APS plans $37M in curriculum investments and $19M in new compensation; district to target literacy pilots
Summary
The district outlined planned K–12 curriculum adoptions totaling about $37 million over five years, a $20,000 stipend for accelerated literacy model staff, and $19 million in new compensation spending for FY2027 including steps and a 1% COLA.
Atlanta Public Schools leaders detailed instructional and personnel investments tied to the FY2027 budget, emphasizing sustained curriculum adoption and targeted pay measures intended to stabilize staffing and advance literacy.
Ashley Freeman, executive director of employee services, summarized FY27 compensation recommendations that together total about $19 million: a year-of-service step increase for eligible staff, a 1% cost-of-living adjustment, $600,000 to address salary compression between instructional coaches and assistant principals, and continuation of H‑1B visa sponsorship funds for hard-to-fill positions. Freeman said these steps aim to keep APS competitive in the metro Atlanta labor market and to reduce day‑one vacancies.
Curriculum and literacy investments
District presenters also outlined a multi-year instructional investment plan.
- Elementary literacy: schools will select between HMH Into Reading and Benchmark for K–5 literacy; the district is also rolling out additional professional learning tied to the adoptions.
- Math and secondary material: the district will offer HMH Into Math or Great Minds (Eureka) at the elementary level, adopt Carnegie Math for middle grades and Cengage at the high school level, and invest in AP/secondary resources where gaps existed.
- Scale and cost: the district described roughly $37 million of K–12 textbook and instructional-material investments over the next five years and a $12 million commitment at the secondary level to address adolescent literacy needs.
- Accelerated literacy stipend: district leaders described a $20,000 stipend to offset additional training burdens for staff in accelerated literacy model schools and said the stipend is intended to be ongoing for those model sites.
Support and accountability
Presenters and board members stressed that compensation alone does not drive outcomes and emphasized working conditions, leadership development and monitoring. Dr. Bracken and board members asked for metrics tying curriculum adoption, professional learning and compensation changes to student outcomes over time.
Notable quotes and context
Ashley Freeman: “APS remains the top payer in metro Atlanta, the state, and the region and I love that for us,” a comment made while reviewing recent compensation history and retention data.
Implementation notes
Staff said professional learning is embedded in the contracts for adoptions, vendors were selected with teacher and stakeholder input, and pilot sites for middle‑school literacy supports were identified (Hollis, Invictus, Long, Russell and Young). The district also intends to use hubs to help bridge parent knowledge gaps about curriculum resources.
