ATLANTA (WJBF) — As Georgia’s new legislative session kicks off, state lawmakers are prioritizing education funding, responding to alarms raised by both leaders and advocates about the mounting pressures facing schools.

Governor Brian Kemp, in his State of the State address, introduced a one-time $2,000 stipend for teachers and state employees. This measure, while appreciated by education groups, is viewed as a temporary fix that falls short of resolving the persistent, deeper issues looming in classrooms statewide.

The Georgia Department of Education is advocating for a more substantial response: a $10,000 salary increase for teachers and school staff over the next five years. This proposal highlights the pressing challenges of rising operational costs, staffing shortages, and the need to retain dedicated educators.

Adding to the urgency, education advocates are voicing concerns over the possibility of reduced federal funding. This potential loss could significantly affect programs for students with disabilities and essential school nutrition services.

“I’m very concerned about federal funding changes that may decrease the amount available for our students with disabilities, as well as supplemental nutrition funding that may impact our school nutrition programs and our students,” expressed Lisa Morgan, president of the Georgia Association of Educators.

Several other proposals are also under consideration this session, including the creation of a statewide attendance officer, increases to substitute teacher pay and changes to Georgia’s Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding formula.

Education groups are pushing for updates that would increase support for art, music, and physical education programs and add a “poverty weight” to better support students from low-income families.

“I certainly hope lawmakers address adding a poverty weight to QBE and banking QBE to include additional funding for families who are struggling with the challenges of poverty,” Morgan said.

The Georgia Association of Educators is also closely watching legislation being reintroduced from last session to expand the state’s school voucher program. The proposal would extend eligibility to adopted children and the biological children of foster parents but would not include children currently in foster care.

Education groups said schools are also in need of more counselors and classroom teachers to help address student mental health needs and reduce class sizes.

Both the House and Senate formed study committees during the offseason to examine chronic absenteeism. According to advocates, those committees identified mental health as a key factor contributing to students missing school.

“They released reports that addressed mental health as part and parcel of absenteeism, and that we need to address our students’ mental health needs,” Morgan said.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods is also pushing lawmakers to restore pay for teachers with leadership degrees and add five personal days per year to help combat burnout.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Education is considering expanding the state’s school cell phone ban from kindergarten through eighth grade to kindergarten through 12th grade, a move officials say could help reduce classroom distractions.

Lawmakers are expected to debate many of these proposals in the coming weeks as the legislative session gets underway.