High Country Times

Watauga County Schools District allocated a total of $78,437 from state funds to capital outlay in the 2022-23 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

This sum represents a 171.4% increase when compared to the $28,899 spent the previous year on capital outlay.

Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $23.6 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $10.1 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.2 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $456,389 and $78,437, respectively.

The North Carolina House and Senate have presented different proposals for the state's budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The House plan allocates over $18.5 billion, calling for the restoration of master's pay for teachers and additional increases in state and school employees. The Senate proposal, on the other hand, maintains the spending level of $17.9 billion approved in the 2023 budget with new bonuses for principals.

While a final decision on the budget is still pending, the Senate passed a separate bill to ensure at least the level of education funding established in 2023. This would allow school districts to proceed with pay raises starting July 1, subject to the governor's approval. The raises would be retroactive. Negotiations between the House and Senate for a compromise budget are ongoing. If an agreement is not reached, the existing 2023 budget will remain in effect.

Category	Spending in 2021-22	Spending in 2022-23	% Difference
Capital Outlay	$28,899	$78,437	171.4%
Purchased Services	$336,287	$456,389	35.7%
Other	$6,926	$8,976	29.6%
Supplies and Materials	$980,018	$1,186,495	21.1%
Employee Benefits	$9,602,592	$10,142,642	5.6%
Salary	$22,705,039	$23,637,682	4.1%