Avery County Schools District allocated a total of $445,483 from state funds to purchased services in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 20.1% increase when compared to the $370,898 spent the previous year on purchased services.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $11.6 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $5.2 million was spent, and purchased services with $445,483. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $356,033 and $17,418, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Outlay | $6,057 | $17,418 | 187.6% |
| Purchased Services | $370,898 | $445,483 | 20.1% |
| Employee Benefits | $4,971,367 | $5,245,326 | 5.5% |
| Salary | $11,464,224 | $11,607,796 | 1.3% |
| Supplies And Materials | $526,501 | $356,033 | -32.4% |
