Wayne County Public Schools District allocated a total of $91.1 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 2.4% increase when compared to the $88.9 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $91.1 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $39.7 million was spent, and purchased services with $8.2 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $4.7 million and $404,087, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchased Services | $6,134,463 | $8,223,554 | 34.1% |
| Capital Outlay | $391,722 | $404,087 | 3.2% |
| Salary | $88,920,834 | $91,096,706 | 2.4% |
| Employee Benefits | $38,893,724 | $39,728,363 | 2.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $5,186,089 | $4,659,682 | -10.2% |
