Cabarrus County Schools District allocated a total of $74.3 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 7.8% increase when compared to the $68.9 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $166.2 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $74.3 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $7.6 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $6 million and $311,311, 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 | $48,335 | $72,571 | 50.1% |
| Employee Benefits | $68,947,900 | $74,309,876 | 7.8% |
| Salary | $157,227,056 | $166,212,841 | 5.7% |
| Purchased Services | $6,675,687 | $5,988,289 | -10.3% |
| Capital Outlay | $376,701 | $311,311 | -17.4% |
| Supplies And Materials | $9,359,833 | $7,592,695 | -18.9% |
