Kent Schools to get $69,000 from Casino Tax

Kent City Schools stand to gain $69,000 from the state via Ohio's casino tax when officials distribute the money this year, according to state figures released Tuesday.

Kent will receive $68,989 That's the most of all districts in Portage County. The county's schools will receive a total $495,000, according to the state.

The state is expected to distribute $38 million total to Ohio school districts.

Ohio's casinos pay one-third of their gross gambling revenue, the Plain Dealer reported. The tax is per a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2009.

Kent City Schools Treasurer Debbie Krutz said the money will go into the district's general fund for general operating expenses.

Krutz said many factors are still unfolding in determining how much money districts will receive in the future from the casino tax, including the potential of reduced casino revenue with Video Lottery Terminals permitted at horse racing tracks. 

"Although the casino revenue to Ohio schools is intended to supplement rather than supplant any funding obligations of the state, there's always the possibility that a new state school funding formula to take effect in (fiscal year) 2014 could change that stipulation," Krutz said. "And even if projections for additional revenue hold true, the amount estimated to be distributed to us in the near future is relatively small."