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.