Rowan-Salisbury Schools District allocated a total of $6.2 million from state funds to supplies and materials in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 24.8% increase when compared to the $5 million spent the previous year on supplies and materials.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $85.5 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $39.5 million was spent, and purchased services with $7.4 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $6.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively.
Despite steady enrollment, North Carolina schools continue to face significant funding challenges. The state’s per-student spending remains nearly $5,000 below the national average, limiting resources for teachers, classrooms, and student support programs. In fact, North Carolina ranks 48th out of 50 states in per-student funding (after adjusting for regional costs).
| Category | Spending in 2022-23 | Spending in 2023-24 | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | $1,930 | $1,253,726 | 64,859.9% |
| Supplies And Materials | $4,978,770 | $6,213,514 | 24.8% |
| Purchased Services | $6,403,352 | $7,391,037 | 15.4% |
| Salary | $83,220,288 | $85,478,435 | 2.7% |
| Employee Benefits | $38,978,468 | $39,487,197 | 1.3% |
| Capital Outlay | $4,489,043 | $3,926,305 | -12.5% |
