Onslow County Schools District allocated a total of $57.6 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 4.9% increase when compared to the $55 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $131.2 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $57.6 million was spent, and purchased services with $11.7 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $5.1 million and $153,172, 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 | $4,784,147 | $5,146,727 | 7.6% |
| Purchased Services | $11,081,242 | $11,677,390 | 5.4% |
| Employee Benefits | $54,950,157 | $57,627,294 | 4.9% |
| Salary | $127,887,364 | $131,182,229 | 2.6% |
| Other | $17,374 | $14,055 | -19.1% |
| Capital Outlay | $278,123 | $153,172 | -44.9% |
