Georgia Teachers Receive Gift Cards for Classroom Supplies

According to a georgia.gov press release, Governor Sonny Perdue recently visited Centennial Place Elementary School and actually hand-delivered $100 debit gift cards to teachers who were in their classrooms.

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

This is the second year in a row where the Governor has done this. The teachers will be able to use the $100 gift cards to buy anything for their classrooms through Sunday, August 5. This year is different as teachers will be able to use the $100 gift cards during the tax-free holiday that lasts four days as well as the three days before the holiday. Teachers may also use the gift cards outside the state of Georgia.

The $100 gift cards were distributed by the Georgia Department of Administrative Services during the week of July 16th. The cards cards were all delivered to school districts central offices and then the school districts gave the cards to the separate schools. Also, local school systems gave cards to specific teachers in order for them to be able to buy what they needed for their classrooms.

Even though it may not have seemed like a lot at the time, around 123,000 gift cards, which are basically pre-paid credit cards, were provided to schools all around the state as a result of George Governor Sonny Perdue's school budget recommendation for 2007.

Teachers may buy what ever they want with the pre-paid gift cards. They can go to buy classroom supplies such as textbooks, paper, writing utensils, office supplies, additional educational programs, arts and crafts supplies and more.