KATHRYN KENNEDY/HERALD STAFF WRITER

kathryn kennedy | daily herald During Tuesday's press conference,Gaston Prep Principal Caleb Dolan discusses funding issues faced by public charter schools in regards to money made available with the advent of the state lottery. Advertisement

GASTON - Money from the state lottery is scheduled to go to traditional public schools.

But charter school officials are demanding that lottery profits be equally distributed among public charter schools as well. On Wednesday, Gaston College Preparatory officials announced they have joined an organized campaign seeking their share of the funds.

The goal of North Carolina Students for Equitable Lottery Funding (NC-SELF) is to challenge present lottery legislation that says public charter schools, such as Gaston College Preparatory, will not receive the amounts given to traditional public schools districts.

Charter schools already receive 5.5 percent less funding than traditional school district, an approximately $400 per student difference, according to the organization. They are given no state funding for transportation, facilities or meal plans.

Operational budgets are based on 70 percent state-provided funds, and the remainder comes from government grants and private donations.

“Our parents pay taxes and vote these legislators into office,” said Gaston Prep Principal Caleb Dolan. “Their children deserve the same funding as everyone else.”

Dolan clarified that charter schools are, in fact, public schools that offer an option outside of the pre-established district. They do not charge tuition.

School officials plan to invite legislators to visit the campus and classrooms, educate the press about the issue and even involve students in the process.

Seventh-grade English students, for example, will take a state test at the end of the year geared toward persuasive writing, and letters to their government representatives will provide hands-on practice.

“The lottery is here to introduce more funds for education,” Dolan explained Wednesday morning during a press conference.

“But they're leaving out a huge chunk of kids ... We'd like them to correct that oversight and make sure charter schools are included.”

The lottery money would mean an estimated $100 increase per student.

“It could double the size of that library quickly, or it might buy band instruments,” Dolan said of the school's goals for the money. “It's (the lack of funding) a lingering oversight of charter schools ... the movement is not an experiment anymore. We're not going anywhere.”

Gaston College Preparatory and KIPP Pride High School combined have nearly 400 students enrolled this year.