KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Tennessee will dip into reserve funds to help out education over the next few years.

Governor Bredesen mentioned several programs, including the state's Basic Education Program will be fully funded through 2011--that's the plan that allocates the money to schools throughout the state.

And for two more years, Tennessee will retain the Coordinated Health Program, Career Ladder for teachers and Family Resource Centers.

But after the governor's address Monday night, the reviews are mixed.

"There still is a lot of trepidation out there, with the teachers, because these are big changes. With Race to the Top, teacher evaluations, it's a hard pill to swallow," Jessica Holman, President of the Knox County Education Association said. "We've never done anything like this in Tennessee before."

Holman says she's more encouraged after hearing the governor speak.

"I think he has a better idea," she continued. "I think our legislators want to talk to our teachers, they want to ask questions."

When legislators made decisions for teachers in a recent special session, there was a small outcry after they voted to include student test scores into teacher evaluations.

A lot of folks didn't like that.

"I think that the commitment to education, I'm hearing, is there and I look forward to seeing it with dollars," Karen Carson, 5th District Knox County School Board Member chimed in.

Carson said she was more concerned about money.

And, when she heard that some programs would continue-- but only by dipping into reserve funds-- she told us that made her uneasy.

"I'm looking more to the future of my kids and my kids' kids. Where are those billions of dollars that are promised?" Carson asked.

Bredesen says K-12 education is one of the biggest line items in the state budget and he'd like for it to be the biggest.

And he hopes, in a few more years we will be able to carry programs without having to dip into reserve funds.