ATLANTA — Atlanta Public Schools is outlining plans for major investments in teachers, students and school facilities while celebrating academic achievements during its State of the District address.

Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson says the district is working toward increasing the average teacher salary to $100,000 while finding ways to help more educators afford to live in Atlanta.

“I want to see a place where we have more of our teachers able to live right here in Atlanta,” Johnson said.

The superintendent acknowledged the financial challenges facing students and staff as the costs of food, gas and other necessities continue to rise.

“With all of these inflationary pressures that exist, we are in a very tough spot,” Johnson said.

The district also announced that its graduation rate has reached 91%, the highest in Atlanta Public Schools history.

APS also ranks No. 1 in year-over-year growth across every tested elementary and middle school subject, according to Johnson.

The district is also seeing improvements in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, with more students taking and passing exams.

“We have not only more students taking the test, but we have more students passing the test at the same time,” Johnson said.

Johnson says the district continues to recover from its cheating scandal while focusing on academic progress and future investments.

Among the proposed projects are renovations to older academic buildings, improvements to high school football fields and the creation of a public arts school.

During the address, APS high school student and self-taught pianist Johntavious Edmonds performed, highlighting the district’s interest in expanding arts education opportunities.

“This is about community. This is about experiences and about culture,” Johnson said.

The proposed projects are included in the district’s 2027 E-SPLOST budget.

Voters will decide whether to approve the sales tax during the November general election.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & MaryRyan Howarth contributed to this story.