In Albany Wednesday, Gov. David Paterson outlined how he plans to spend the $24 billion New York is set to get from the federal stimulus plan.

The governor says some of the money will help make up for his proposed cuts to education. Other funding will go toward health care.

?Significant resources come in the area of health care and education, which we will talk about as we go through the budget process,? Paterson says.

Long Island education officials, meanwhile, say they?re hopeful the money will make its way to the Island?s schools.

?There's an excitement about it that help is on the way, but also we have to do a wait-and-see,? head of the Suffolk Council of Superintendents Wendell Chu says.

Chu is also superintendent of East Islip schools, which stands to lose $3.3 million in state aid if Paterson?s education cuts go through. He says the cuts would put school programs and 15 jobs on the chopping block. However, Chu says there are no guarantees so he?s hoping for the best but planning for the worst.