Money for NC private school vouchers begins moving

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — The first of millions of taxpayer dollars in payments have been sent to private and religious schools across North Carolina while an appeals court considers a judge’s ruling that a new scholarship program for low-income public school children is unconstitutional on several levels.

A spokeswoman for the state agency administering the Opportunity Scholarships program said Monday about $1.1 million began going out to 109 private schools last Friday.

State Educational Assistance Authority grants director Elizabeth McDuffie says that was for 568 students. The money was disbursed a week after the state Court of Appeals allowed funds for nearly 1,900 students who qualified for and accepted grants of up to $4,200.

The appeals court blocked the rest of the program pending a decision on whether the program meets the state constitution.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)