Changing Lottery Math Could Add Up to Benefit for Wake

Raleigh, N.C. — Proposed legislation in the General Assembly could mean a larger share of education lottery proceeds for the Wake County Public School System.

Over the next five years, the county expects to receive $49 million from the North Carolina Education Lottery under the current funding formula. It is based on local tax rate and student population.

But Wake County leaders argue that the school system is penalized, because Wake County's tax rate is relatively low.

Leaders argue that school systems with lower enrollment numbers but higher tax rates, such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, would receive more money under the formula. Charlotte-Mecklenburg, for example, would receive $99 million over the next five years.

Bills in both the state House and Senate would distribute lottery proceeds would be based solely on school enrollment.

That would mean Wake County could see its annual share increase from $9 million to $15 million while other school systems, such as Mecklenburg, would see decreases.

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Builder276 - Where did you get this info that most of the money is generated in Wake? Just wondering....

Nutz4golf
January 26, 2007 10:52 a.m.

Interesting article

bsmith17603
January 26, 2007 6:34 a.m.

Well the bonds barely passed in Wake County. But as u know the bond money must be repaid -- it is not free money. The billion dollars did not fall out of the sky-- it fell out your pocket and mine for many years to come. To sell bonds you must be able to pay the money back. Tell u a little secret-- but dont tell anyone-- there is nothing free-- someone -- somewhere is paying. -- and oh-- by the way-- federal money isnt free either. The state allocates their school funds based on enrollment so the state allocation of school money is fair. The lottery allocation should also be based on the student enrollment. That way every student in the state has an equal opportunity for state funding.