Watauga County Schools District allocated a total of $185,592 from state funds to capital outlay in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 136.6% increase when compared to the $78,437 spent the previous year on capital outlay.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $24.4 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $10.9 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.7 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $408,697 and $185,592, 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 | $78,437 | $185,592 | 136.6% |
| Supplies And Materials | $1,186,495 | $1,665,853 | 40.4% |
| Employee Benefits | $10,142,642 | $10,879,810 | 7.3% |
| Other | $8,976 | $9,263 | 3.2% |
| Salary | $23,637,682 | $24,359,044 | 3.1% |
| Purchased Services | $456,389 | $408,697 | -10.4% |
