Rockingham County Schools District allocated a total of $535,899 from state funds to capital outlay in the 2023-24 school year, according to data gathered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
This sum represents a 512.4% increase when compared to the $87,505 spent the previous year on capital outlay.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $60.1 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $27.3 million was spent, and purchased services with $3.8 million. Additionally, expenditures for supplies and materials and capital outlay were $2.5 million and $535,899, 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 | $8,802 | $63,401 | 620.3% |
| Capital Outlay | $87,505 | $535,899 | 512.4% |
| Purchased Services | $2,358,069 | $3,793,931 | 60.9% |
| Supplies And Materials | $2,247,478 | $2,453,313 | 9.2% |
| Employee Benefits | $25,363,757 | $27,343,126 | 7.8% |
| Salary | $56,849,565 | $60,140,294 | 5.8% |