Winston Salem / Forsyth County Schools District allocated a total of $115.2 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 1.1% increase when compared to the $114 million spent the previous year on employee benefits.
Among the various expenditures, the largest expenditure from state funds was $251 million for salary, followed by employee benefits on which $115.2 million was spent, and supplies and materials with $8.2 million. Additionally, expenditures for purchased services and capital outlay were $6.5 million and $343,588, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Benefits | $113,987,094 | $115,231,580 | 1.1% |
| Other | $100,260 | $101,118 | 0.9% |
| Salary | $249,804,372 | $250,979,258 | 0.5% |
| Purchased Services | $7,130,036 | $6,529,703 | -8.4% |
| Supplies And Materials | $10,180,706 | $8,243,472 | -19% |
| Capital Outlay | $1,388,127 | $343,588 | -75.2% |
