Public school systems across the state will have to wait at least until next week to learn who will share part or all of $91.5 million in disputed civil fines.
Superior Court Judge Howard Manning spent about an hour this morning listening to arguments from lawyers representing the state and a group of school systems. Manning indicated he would not rule today.
The school systems want the money turned over to a civil penalty fund the General Assembly established more than a decade ago. Money from that fund flows to every North Carolina public school system. On the other side of the argument, the state says the money should head instead to individual counties where violations occurred to generate the civil penalties.
The distinction is important because the state also argues that the proceeds should head only to the six school systems involved in the original dispute. If Manning agrees with that argument, a portion of the $91.5 million would remain in the state coffers.
1 p.m. update: A final ruling on the entire case is not expected next week or “any time soon,” Manning told lawyers on both sides of the argument. He did not indicate whether the decision about the $91.5 million would be announced prior to the resolution of the larger case.
