Mitchell County Schools District allocated a total of $11.8 million from state funds to salary in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 4.1% increase when compared to the $11.3 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $11.8 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $5.4 million was spent, and purchased services with $591,788. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and other were $410,320 and $28,082, 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 | $76 | $28,082 | 36,850% |
| Employee Benefits | $4,982,385 | $5,379,756 | 8% |
| Salary | $11,341,937 | $11,805,656 | 4.1% |
| Purchased Services | $741,080 | $591,788 | -20.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $618,625 | $410,320 | -33.7% |
| Capital Outlay | $14,895 | $1,399 | -90.6% |
