Buncombe County Schools District allocated a total of $3.5 million from state funds to purchased services in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 7.4% increase when compared to the $3.2 million spent the previous year on purchased services.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $111.9 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $50.4 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $3.7 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $3.5 million and $70,744, 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 | $3,215,821 | $3,452,835 | 7.4% |
| Salary | $108,420,556 | $111,860,571 | 3.2% |
| Employee Benefits | $48,927,906 | $50,422,027 | 3.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $8,564,994 | $3,720,772 | -56.6% |
| Capital Outlay | $2,392,187 | $70,744 | -97% |
