Public schools now know how much federal money they will be getting from a bill passed earlier this month to save teacher jobs. Some systems will use it to prop up next year’s budget when stimulus funds run out.

The money will come in two waves, one at the end of September and another in October.

Oconee County schools near Athens are getting 1.3 million dollars. Assistant Superintendent of Financial Operations Randy Morrison says using the money now means moving other funds into next year’s budget holes.

"The federal job funds money will be used to replace local dollars, so we will immediately replace teacher salaries at the building level," says Morrison. "We will then be able to reuse and re-budget for other areas across the system’s operation."

Morrison says the money could also make up for a possible two percent cut in state funding.

The governor’s office says revenue numbers in coming months will determine if that cut is necessary.

Tags: Georgia, education, stimulus dollars, federal money, education cuts, teacher jobs