Orange County Schools District allocated a total of $15.8 million from state funds to employee benefits in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 5.3% increase when compared to the $15 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $35.3 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $15.8 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $2.4 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $994,656 and $109,091, 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 | $1,654 | $7,161 | 333% |
| Purchased Services | $416,005 | $994,656 | 139.1% |
| Capital Outlay | $98,002 | $109,091 | 11.3% |
| Employee Benefits | $15,034,540 | $15,825,805 | 5.3% |
| Salary | $34,686,832 | $35,319,930 | 1.8% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,409,536 | $2,443,148 | 1.4% |
