Cherokee County Schools District allocated a total of $18 million from state funds to salary in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 0.9% increase when compared to the $17.8 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $18 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $8.1 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.3 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and other were $852,443 and $65,841, 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 | $666,690 | $1,261,872 | 89.3% |
| Purchased Services | $461,149 | $852,443 | 84.9% |
| Other | $64,917 | $65,841 | 1.4% |
| Salary | $17,798,160 | $17,956,538 | 0.9% |
| Employee Benefits | $8,102,535 | $8,128,667 | 0.3% |
| Capital Outlay | $67,854 | $3,909 | -94.2% |
