The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has received federal, state, and county resources to help us respond to the COVID pandemic. The district received one-time funding from the State COVID-19 Supplemental Funds, Wake County Government, Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Act (ESSER), and the American Recovery Plan (ARP).

In July 2021, a survey was shared with all WCPSS staff, families, and several community partners. The goal was to seek input on the use of ESSER III funds. About 7,900 responses with the largest group of respondents identifying as family members of WCPSS students (~ 5,800). Community Survey Responses

Initial Pandemic Relief funding (Governor and County)

Governor Cooper’s Emergency Fund - First emergency funds received: $3.8 m

• $2.4 m for Child Nutrition salaries and benefits

• $1.4 m for Custodial contract cleaning

Wake County Government Summary of Expenditures: $29.1 m

• 50,000 devices to facilitate remote learning - $14.1 m

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), sanitation and cleaning supplies, barriers, signage, MERV 13 filters - $7.9 m

• Child Nutrition Services feeding program - $5.5 m

• Student connectivity - $1.6 m

Pandemic Relief funding (State and Federal) funds totals $443 million and span the 2021-2024 school years

• As of Sept. 30, 2023, $357.9 million has been spent and $7 million is encumbered.
• An additional $78.2 million is projected to be spent through June 30, 2024.

Below is a summary of the actual and projected pandemic relief spending through June 30, 2024. 

Actual Expenditures: March 2020 through Sept. 30, 2023

NCDPI - Wake County Public School System COVID Expenditures as of Sept. 30, 2023

PSU 920 Wake County Schools for PRC All Sum of all Covid Expenditures 

• Salary 65.1%
• Employee Benefits 12.7%
• Purchased Services 10%
• Supplies and Materials 9.4%
• Capital Outlay 0%
• Other 2.9%.

Planned Expenditures: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024: $86.4 million