AUSTIN (July 24, 2009)--U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan approved almost $2 billion in federal stimulus money Friday that Texas requested for its public schools.

The money will go to school districts to be used at least in part for a state-mandated $800 bonus for teachers and other professional employees.

Gov. Rick Perry applied for the money last month, and Texas lawmakers wrote a state budget allocating most of it to school districts with the proviso that it go to a teacher pay raise.

Some school districts had been reluctant to budget the money amid questions over whether the allocation would be approved.

A spokesman from U.S. Rep. Chet Edward said the state will have to reapply for a second part of the request, which amounts to about $1.4 billion that was slated to help replenish the Permanent School Fund, which has taken a hit since the recession started.

“These funds will not only give Texas public school teachers a much-deserved pay raise, it will save jobs, and help school districts budget for the upcoming school year,” Edwards said in a prepared release Friday.

“Ensuring our teachers, students, and schools have the resources they need during these tough economic times will help our children succeed, strengthen our economy over the long term, and invest in reform of our education system,” he said.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he’s pleased the funds were approved

“Providing quality education to our state’s school children continues to be a top priority,” he said.

“Texas lawmakers appropriated this money, along with more than $30 billion in state funds, to enhance educational excellence in our state.”