Clock Ticks For Plan To Fund Low-Wealth Schools

RALEIGH, N.C. — State lawmakers are looking for ways to fulfill their court ordered obligation to fund poor school districts.

Judge Howard Manning met with attorneys Tuesday in the decade-old lawsuit known as the Leandro case.

Manning has been demanding a payment plan from lawmakers for a program that could cost up to $220 million over the next decade.

The House and Senate have both proposed bills for money to cover the next three years.

Gov. Mike Easley outlines his budget next week, but it will not get approval until June.