SACRAMENTO, March 11, 2004 – California’s public schools will receive more than $15 million in unclaimed lottery winnings as no one stepped forward to claim a $28.5 million SuperLotto Plus jackpot by the California Lottery before the March 8th deadline. This is the largest unclaimed Lottery jackpot in California’s history and the 15th time a SuperLotto Plus ticket has not been claimed.
Since no one has claimed the winning ticket, $15,064,892.53 (the cash value of the prize) will be deposited into the Lottery Education Fund for distribution by the State Controller’s Office to California’s public schools. This unclaimed prize will generate an additional $1.86 for each of California’s 8.1 million public school students.
"In this difficult budget year, each dollar going to our schools is precious. As the budget crisis forces our schools to do more with less, this unanticipated $12 million for K-12 schools and nearly $3 million for our systems of higher education is especially welcome. I know our school leaders will quickly find ways to put these funds to good use," said Jack O'Connell, Superintendent of Public Instruction.
“California’s schools have hit a $15 million jackpot. We are proud to deliver the winnings to our students to help improve education,” said State Controller Steve Westly. “Now more than ever, we need to invest in education and California’s future.”
Since 1985, the Lottery has forwarded $519 million in unclaimed prize money to public education. This amount includes all unclaimed prize money and other income, and is in addition to the mandated 34% already forwarded to California’s public education.
Based on attendance records from Fiscal Year 2002/03 the estimated distribution of the $15,064,892.53 will be:
|
|
|
| K-12 Schools |
80.8% |
$12,172,433 |
| Community Colleges |
12.9% |
$1,943,371 |
| California State University |
3.85% |
$579,998 |
| University of California |
2.24% |
$337,453 |
| Other Educational Entities |
0.21% |
$ 31,636 |
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