Swain County Schools District allocated a total of $11.6 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 4.5% increase when compared to the $11.1 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $11.6 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $5.4 million was spent, and purchased services with $1.1 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $437,556 and $24,082, 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 | $182 | $705 | 287.4% |
| Purchased Services | $991,944 | $1,127,376 | 13.7% |
| Employee Benefits | $5,139,285 | $5,413,043 | 5.3% |
| Salary | $11,061,401 | $11,564,164 | 4.5% |
| Supplies And Materials | $550,966 | $437,556 | -20.6% |
| Capital Outlay | $290,369 | $24,082 | -91.7% |
