With school officially back in session in Kilmarnock and across the Commonwealth, the question of how Virginia supports public education is often asked.
An important source of that funding is the Virginia Lottery, which makes up about 10% of Virginia’s total K-12 budget. Of every dollar Virginia spends on K-12 public education, about a dime of it comes from Lottery profits. That means the Lottery is an important piece of the overall school funding picture.
In fiscal year 2019, which ended on June 30, the Virginia Lottery generated a record $649.7 million in profits. Virginia’s Constitution requires those funds go towards K-12 public education.
Of that statewide number, Lancaster County received $431,755. Northumberland County received $439,804.
Some 60% of the Lottery Proceeds Fund go to programs like…