Wilkes County Schools District allocated a total of $44.9 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 3.6% increase when compared to the $43.3 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $44.9 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $20.8 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.6 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and other were $1.2 million and $46,638, 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 | $18,285 | $29,773 | 62.8% |
| Salary | $43,346,856 | $44,926,563 | 3.6% |
| Employee Benefits | $20,201,800 | $20,844,876 | 3.2% |
| Other | $46,531 | $46,638 | 0.2% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,118,112 | $1,636,855 | -22.7% |
| Purchased Services | $1,749,318 | $1,179,889 | -32.6% |
