Cleveland County Schools District allocated a total of $4.1 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 37.1% increase when compared to the $3 million spent the previous year on purchased services.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $74.2 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $34.4 million was spent, and purchased services with $4.1 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $2.9 million and $84,624, 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 | $23,091 | $84,624 | 266.5% |
| Purchased Services | $2,967,755 | $4,069,654 | 37.1% |
| Employee Benefits | $32,682,406 | $34,402,902 | 5.3% |
| Salary | $70,956,873 | $74,224,760 | 4.6% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,943,687 | $2,860,034 | -2.8% |
| Other | — | $110 | — |
