By Chyna Broadnax

Iredell-Statesville Schools has signed on to a lawsuit seeking its share of fines and forfeitures.

The district has joined Wake County, Durham County, Buncombe County, Johnston County, Edgecombe County and Lenoir County in a lawsuit against the state.

Three years ago, the N.C. Supreme Court ruled that schools are entitled to fines and forfeitures collected by the Department of Transportation and Department of Revenue for tax violations.

“If there’s a chance we can get the money, I’m always there,” I-SS Superintendent Terry Holliday said.  “We always need the money.”

The plaintiffs are seeking $90 million withheld between 1996 and 1997. A total of $750 million was withheld from schools statewide over a 10-year period.

I-SS could receive up to 2 percent of the $750 million.
Holliday said he isn’t optimistic about seeing any of the money.
“If some money does come, we’re poised and ready to get it,” he said.

In order to increase its chances of receiving any money, I-SS was encouraged by the N.C. School Board’s Association to join the lawsuit, according to Holliday.

“If you don’t get in line for it, you won’t get it,” Holliday said.
If money is given to the district, it must be used for technology purposes, he said.

I-SS Board of Education Chairman David Cash said the money never made it to the schools and was apparently used by the state for other purposes.

“With budget constraints, we anticipate more limited funding because of the economy slowed,” he said. “We want to be vigilant as a board and watch for opportunities to gain as much money as we can from sources.”

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