In a significant boost to educational infrastructure, seven North Carolina school districts are set to benefit from over $360 million in state lottery-funded grants. These funds, aimed at enhancing school construction and renovation, will facilitate projects such as the merging of schools into unified campuses, better access to career and technical education, and modernization of facilities for students, faculty, and the community.
This financial support comes from the Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund (NBPSCF), marking the largest annual distribution since the fund’s inception in 2017 by the General Assembly using state lottery revenues. These grants supplement the ongoing allocations from the state’s lottery-supported Public School Building Capital Fund and the Public School Building Repair and Renovation Fund, which benefit all 115 districts annually.
Catherine Truitt, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, highlighted the importance of these grants in providing North Carolina students with modern and conducive learning environments. “Hurricane Helene has reiterated the necessity of our students having access to safe, modern and structurally sound learning environments,” Truitt stated. She emphasized that the funding supports districts in updating infrastructure to enhance safety and access to specialized learning facilities, such as STEM labs and media centers.
Awards Include:
- Edgecombe County Public Schools—$62 million
- Plans include consolidating three schools, renovating North Edgecombe High School, building a new career and technical education facility, and creating a new PK-8 facility while refurbishing grounds and athletic fields.
- Graham County Schools—$42 million
- The grant will finance a new elementary school featuring a multi-level design that centralizes essential spaces such as the cafeteria, gymnasium, and auditorium.
- Hyde County Schools—$36,574,482
- Funds will be used to construct a new high school, consolidating existing elementary, middle, and high schools into one facility, with updated campus and athletic amenities.
- Jackson County Public Schools—$52 million
- This allocation will support the construction of a middle school combining five middle school programs, enhancing access to advanced courses and career education.
- Martin County Schools—$62 million
- The grant will replace the 50-year-old Riverside High School, expanding access to career and technical education, and addressing classroom and cafeteria space needs.
- Sampson County Schools—$62 million
- Funds are designated for a new high school and career and technical magnet school, including a state-of-the-art facility, auditorium, and sports fields.
- Swain County Schools—$52 million
- Plans include a new middle school to streamline building transitions, increase classroom and cafeteria sizes, and develop new athletic fields.
Mark Michalko, Chief Executive Officer of the N.C. Education Lottery, underscored the impact of lottery funds on school construction and renovation. “More than half of the $1 billion raised by the lottery last year went to build new schools and renovate and repair older ones,” he noted, adding that these efforts are visibly transforming educational landscapes across the state.
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) reviewed 122 applications, totaling $1.78 billion in funding requests. The NBPSCF grant program is supported annually through the NC Education Lottery revenue. The next application cycle for fiscal year 2025-2026 is expected to open in fall 2025, subsequent to the next biennial budget’s approval.
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