Cumberland County Schools District allocated a total of $18.9 million from state funds to purchased services in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 25.7% increase when compared to the $15 million spent the previous year on purchased services.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $249.1 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $97.6 million was spent, and purchased services with $18.9 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $10.4 million and $199,655, 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 | $15,011,269 | $18,869,711 | 25.7% |
| Salary | $238,159,159 | $249,090,414 | 4.6% |
| Employee Benefits | $96,547,464 | $97,645,963 | 1.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $10,863,712 | $10,411,519 | -4.2% |
| Capital Outlay | $568,124 | $199,655 | -64.9% |
| Other | — | $3,235 | — |
