Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia has introduced an ambitious and thorough legislative package aimed at significantly enhancing K-12 education and bolstering school safety throughout the state. Announced during the first day of the Georgia legislative session, Kemp’s plan focuses on several core areas, including increased funding for educational endeavors, improved mental health support within schools, and enhanced safety measures.
Financial Investment in K-12 Education
One of the primary elements of Kemp’s proposal is the substantial financial investment in K-12 education. The plan includes allocating $120.8 million for the amended fiscal year 2025 and $402.2 million for fiscal year 2026 to ensure full funding of K-12 education. Additionally, $10.3 million is earmarked for pupil transportation to maintain higher rates of state-funded grants for buses and operational costs. There are also provisions for equipment grants amounting to $1.25 million to support new or expanded technical education labs in high schools, preparing students for high-demand careers as defined by the State Workforce Development Board.
Supporting Educators
Supporting educators is another key component of Kemp’s plan. The legislation proposes increasing the indemnification benefit amount in the case of death for the Public School Indemnification Fund from $75,000 to match the $150,000 designated for the Public Officers Indemnification Fund. Furthermore, public school employers’ contributions to the Teachers’ State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) are set to increase, which will improve the health insurance plan’s funded ratio, effectively increasing contributions from $1,760 PMPM to $1,885 PMPM for certified school personnel and from $1,580 to $1,885 for classified school personnel, starting in fiscal year 2026.
Enhancing School Safety
Improving and securing school environments form another critical aspect of the proposal. The plan allocates $50 million in the amended fiscal year 2025 budget for one-time additions to school safety grants, which translates to an additional $21,635 per school on top of the $47,125 base amount received annually. Thus, $158.9 million will be available this year for school safety grants. To support enhanced mental health efforts, sustained funding of $3.015 million is set aside for expanded K-12 bandwidth, and crisis counseling training will be funded through the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
Mental Health and Safety Measures
Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia has rolled out a comprehensive and ambitious legislative package aimed at significantly improving K-12 education and enhancing school safety across the state. Unveiled on the first day of the Georgia legislative session, Kemp’s initiative emphasizes several key areas. The plan includes increased funding for various educational programs to ensure that schools have the necessary resources to provide quality education. There is also a focus on bolstering mental health support within schools, recognizing the importance of mental well-being for students’ academic success and overall development. Additionally, the proposal outlines enhanced safety measures designed to protect students and staff, ensuring a secure learning environment. By addressing these critical aspects, Kemp aims to create a more supportive, safe, and effective educational system that benefits all stakeholders in Georgia. This extensive plan reflects his commitment to not only advancing educational standards but also safeguarding the welfare of students and educators alike.
