The record-setting amount spent on this year's Wake County school board elections was highlighted today by NPR's "All Things Considered" show.

The segment noted how Wake's huge escalation in campaign costs mirrors the trend of high-priced school board races in other parts of the country. The high cost and the infusion of outside special interest money has surprised both school board member Kevin Hill and challenger Heather Losurdo.

Hill noted how in 2007 he raised $6,000 and his campaign staff consisted of he and his wife. This time he's got 300 volunteers and  more than $42,000.