Ashe County Schools District allocated a total of $7.3 million from state funds to employee benefits in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 1.8% increase when compared to the $7.2 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $16.1 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $7.3 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.1 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $595,488 and $34,913, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchased Services | $579,842 | $595,488 | 2.7% |
| Salary | $15,739,286 | $16,126,156 | 2.5% |
| Employee Benefits | $7,199,892 | $7,332,697 | 1.8% |
| Supplies And Materials | $1,357,745 | $1,134,521 | -16.4% |
| Capital Outlay | $427,656 | $34,913 | -91.8% |
