Person County Schools District allocated a total of $1.5 million from state funds to supplies and materials in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 25.6% decrease when compared to the $2.1 million spent the previous year on supplies and materials.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $24.1 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $10.2 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.5 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $1.5 million and $6,173, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Benefits | $9,686,559 | $10,246,935 | 5.8% |
| Salary | $22,782,633 | $24,065,485 | 5.6% |
| Purchased Services | $1,434,252 | $1,508,627 | 5.2% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,061,757 | $1,534,422 | -25.6% |
| Other | $780 | $403 | -48.3% |
| Capital Outlay | $51,826 | $6,173 | -88.1% |
