Groups question lottery profits, OH school funding

Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Education groups in Ohio are raising questions about the payout public schools will get after record-setting state lottery profits.

By law, lottery profits are given to the Ohio Department of Education to support schools.

The Ohio Lottery recently announced that its sales topped $2.7 billion for the fiscal year that ended June 30, up from $2.6 billion the previous year. The agency said that meant its highest payout yet for public schools: $771 million.

But associations representing school boards, administrators and school business officials contend increased lottery profits don't necessarily translate into increased state funding for schools.

The head of the Buckeye Association of School Administrators said in a joint statement with the groups that when lottery profits exceed estimates, the total amount available for Ohio schools does not change.