Wake County Schools District allocated a total of $22.4 million from state funds to supplies and materials in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 4% decrease when compared to the $23.3 million spent the previous year on supplies and materials.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $764.5 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $347.1 million was spent, and purchased services with $25.3 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $22.4 million and $919,619, 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 | $178,526 | $247,884 | 38.9% |
| Purchased Services | $22,614,598 | $25,311,616 | 11.9% |
| Salary | $725,780,363 | $764,454,842 | 5.3% |
| Employee Benefits | $331,576,906 | $347,136,518 | 4.7% |
| Supplies And Materials | $23,294,322 | $22,362,406 | -4% |
| Capital Outlay | $1,797,153 | $919,619 | -48.8% |
