Maniototo Area School would receive $7 million and Lawrence Area School $4 million, Associate Education Minister Tim Macindoe announced yesterday.
But it appears the media and public were informed of the funding before some of the schools' leaders.
Lawrence principal John Auld had not been told before he was contacted by the Otago Daily Times, and had to be read the press release from the minister's office.
Maniototo principal Joe Ferdinands did not say how he heard the news, but said ''for us, it's the announcement that is important''.
Both principals were thrilled by the news, which came after previous discussions with the Ministry of Education.
In Ranfurly, plans to rebuild were announced by former principal Patsy Inder last year, and in Lawrence, ministry representatives had been in discussions about the school's buildings for more than a year. Many of the buildings at both schools are about 60 years old.
The Maniototo funding would rebuild most of the school and Lawrence's would replace, repair and modernise existing spaces there, Mr Macindoe said.
Mr Ferdinands said the rebuild would allow a further shift in teaching methods. Teachers were already modernising these, a senior block had been remodelled and walls were ''literally being knocked down'' in junior blocks to open up classrooms.
''This is our way of trying to keep up with the speed of change that's going through the world ... but now we can plan and envisage the rebuild, because we've got the go-ahead.''
Mr Auld said the focus in Lawrence would be providing innovative teaching practice.
''We're very pleased that we're going to move forward and have better teaching spaces for the school.''
Plans for both schools would be developed over the next two years and construction was expected to begin in mid-2019, Mr Macindoe said.
The money came on top of $37 million announced for Otago-Southland new classrooms and school redevelopments last year.
