Lincoln County Schools District allocated a total of $26.1 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 9.6% increase when compared to the $23.9 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $57.4 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $26.1 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $1.7 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $1.6 million and $20,381, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital Outlay | $18,030 | $20,381 | 13% |
| Other | $2,175 | $2,457 | 13% |
| Employee Benefits | $23,865,766 | $26,145,049 | 9.6% |
| Salary | $53,662,665 | $57,362,197 | 6.9% |
| Purchased Services | $1,760,324 | $1,575,712 | -10.5% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,409,238 | $1,660,912 | -31.1% |
