Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools District allocated a total of $647.7 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 5.4% increase when compared to the $614.2 million spent the previous year on salary.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $647.7 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $289.8 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $37.5 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $35.1 million and $2.8 million, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary | $614,232,245 | $647,695,697 | 5.4% |
| Employee Benefits | $280,250,503 | $289,774,180 | 3.4% |
| Supplies And Materials | $39,697,132 | $37,462,890 | -5.6% |
| Purchased Services | $39,187,335 | $35,074,561 | -10.5% |
| Other | $460,565 | $287,436 | -37.6% |
| Capital Outlay | $6,957,939 | $2,787,494 | -59.9% |
