Craven County Schools District allocated a total of $27 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 3.4% increase when compared to the $26.1 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $61.2 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $27 million was spent, and purchased services with $4.2 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $2.4 million and $8,534, 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 | $3,949,642 | $4,226,534 | 7% |
| Employee Benefits | $26,077,170 | $26,971,999 | 3.4% |
| Salary | $59,551,123 | $61,150,179 | 2.7% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,823,980 | $2,441,629 | -13.5% |
| Capital Outlay | $18,219 | $8,534 | -53.2% |
| Other | $1,519 | $624 | -58.9% |
