Kam Payne (center) teaches her fifth grade advanced math class at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville on Friday, January 22, 2016. Gov. Nathan Deal recently referenced in his state of the state address Gwinnett’s school system as one of the first in Georgia to implement a teacher compensation system based on merit — pay teachers based on how well students perform on standardized tests and other academic measures. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL
January 22, 2016 Snellville – Kam Payne (center) teaches her fifth grade advanced math class at Centerville Elementary School in Snellville on Friday, January 22, 2016.