Teachers to Begin Receiving Classroom Gift Cards

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue visited Centennial Place Elementary School this morning 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.”

For the second year, teachers will be able to use the $100 gift cards to purchase classroom supplies through Sunday, August 5.  This year the card is valid 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.

The Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) distributed the gift cards during the week of July 16 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.

Approximately 123,000 gift cards, which function as pre-paid credit cards, are provided as a result of Governor Perdue’s budget recommendation in 2007. 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.