Teachers to recieve $100 for school supplies

Georgia teachers will receive $100 gift cards for classroom supplies this school year.

Approximately 123,000 gift cards, which function as pre-paid credit cards, were provided as a result of Governor Sonny Perdue's budget recommendation in 2007. This is the second year teachers have received gift cards for school supplies.

This morning, Governor Perdue visited Centennial Place Elementary School and hand-delivered $100 gift cards to teachers in their classrooms.

"As the son of a school teacher, I know the extraordinary time and effort it takes to be an effective teacher," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "My hope is that this card eases some of the expense that many Georgia teachers face as they prepare for the upcoming school year."

The gift cards can be used to purchase classroom supplies that include, but are not limited to, paper, craft supplies, office supplies, educational media, textbooks and other teaching aids.

The cards are valid through Sunday, August 5, during the four-day tax-free holiday as well as the three days prior to the tax-free holiday. The cards are also eligible for use out-of-state.

During the week of July 16, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) distributed the gift cards to the school district central offices, and the school districts distributed the cards to the schools. Local school systems notified their teachers as to the individual distribution method for their cards.