Gaston County Schools District allocated a total of $11.3 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 40.1% increase when compared to the $8 million spent the previous year on purchased services.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $144.4 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $59.8 million was spent, and purchased services with $11.3 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $7.2 million and $55,434, 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 | $120 | $300 | 150% |
| Capital Outlay | $28,134 | $55,434 | 97% |
| Purchased Services | $8,035,164 | $11,254,968 | 40.1% |
| Supplies And Materials | $6,075,385 | $7,178,019 | 18.1% |
| Salary | $138,463,235 | $144,385,203 | 4.3% |
| Employee Benefits | $59,982,407 | $59,846,401 | -0.2% |
