It's not all bad budget news this week for the school district.

As reported in today's paper, former state House Speaker Jim Black paid half of his $1 million fine this week. The money goes to the Wake school system because he was convicted in Wake County.

"I always intended to leave a portion of my estate to help secure the enhancement of North Carolina's public educational system," Black said in a statement. "And while this payment comes a bit premature, I gladly give it knowing that North Carolina's children will be the beneficiaries."

Black has until January to pay the remaining $500,000.