Gates County Schools District allocated a total of $4.5 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 1.8% increase when compared to the $4.4 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $10.4 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $4.5 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $663,438. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $400,135 and $87,742, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplies And Materials | $493,632 | $663,438 | 34.4% |
| Capital Outlay | $76,701 | $87,742 | 14.4% |
| Salary | $10,040,193 | $10,406,606 | 3.6% |
| Employee Benefits | $4,424,868 | $4,504,797 | 1.8% |
| Other | $136 | $114 | -16.2% |
| Purchased Services | $545,211 | $400,135 | -26.6% |
