Surging enrollment in North Carolina's online class program for public high school students is creating a funding shortfall that means teens in 15 school districts have been blocked from signing up for spring classes.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday the projected $3 million shortfall for the N.C. Virtual Public School means those and other districts may have to tap local funding if they want students to take the free classes.
Officials with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools say they are not close to hitting their cap.
"We are way under because we have been very judicious (about enrolling students)," said Kenneth Simington, the assistant superintendent for student services.
The virtual school receives $20 million for its budget, which is divided among school systems based on previous enrollment. Teachers are paid to teach online courses that often are hard to find in districts or don't fit a student's schedule.
Officials expect more than 28,000 students in the spring — 3,000 more than originally forecast.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement