Richmond County Schools District allocated a total of $37 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 3.5% increase when compared to the $35.8 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $37 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $16.3 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $2.3 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $1.8 million and $318,493, 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 | $45,000 | $55,748 | 23.9% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,215,149 | $2,311,316 | 4.3% |
| Salary | $35,797,408 | $37,037,379 | 3.5% |
| Employee Benefits | $15,792,436 | $16,293,390 | 3.2% |
| Purchased Services | $1,911,343 | $1,753,796 | -8.2% |
| Capital Outlay | $915,585 | $318,493 | -65.2% |
