Leigh Ann Rhodes

MEDT 6461: Administration of School Media

Budget Project

Spring 2018
  

Proposed Three Year Budget Project for 2018-2019/ 2019-2020/ 2020-2021

Arnall Middle School is one of six middle schools located in Coweta County,
Georgia. This is a Google 1:1 district with all students in grades 3-12 issued a chrome
book. The population of approximately 950 students are 47% White, 39% African –
American and 13% Hispanic with the remainder split between Asian and Multi-racial.
This Title One School has a 45% free and reduced lunch rate and 8% of the students
receive Special Education services and 6% are ELL. There are many changes this year
including a new principal, media specialist and the implementation of a STEM lab as a
Connection class offered to students. There is an active parent group that has been in the
process of changing from PTA to PTO. The school wide fundraisers have been minimally
successful but they are hopeful for a better year once the organizational changes are
settled in.

This is the first year for Mrs. Prince as a Media Specialist and also her first year at
Arnall. Her predecessor was there for 12 years and did very little to stay abreast of
emerging technologies and current reading material. She refused to include graphic
novels even though students requested them and there was very little weeding. Much of
Mrs. Princes’ time has been spent on inventory, weeding and staying abreast of the
student reading interests using sites like Goodreads, Barnes and Noble and informal
questioning. At this writing, the students have checked out 6000 books this year, more
than doubling last year’s number. There are plans for formal needs assessments from
teachers and students next year.

The Scholastic book fair made its return after an absence of 8 years. There was a
profit of $2100 that will be used to purchase books in the future. This amount
supplements the $7500 yearly budget that is allocated by the county for the Media Center
although all purchases must be approved by the principal and the bookkeeper. Mrs.
Prince also uses money collected from students for printing and fines to add to her
budget.
  

2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021

Print Materials
Books 2500.00 2500.00 2500.00
Periodicals / Subscriptions
500.00 500.00 750.00
Digital Materials
Ebooks / AV titles 500.00 500.00 750.00
Equipment
iPad covers (10) 500.00 500.00
iPad chargers 100.00
Video Camera 300.00
Headphones (10) 200.00 100.00 200.00
Green Screen/Lighting 100.00
Microphone (3) 100.00
Makerspace 500.00 500.00
Administrative Materials
Paper, laminating, office
supplies, incentives, puzzles 300.00 300.00 300.00
Total 5000.00 5000.00 5000.00

Print Materials
One of the most pressing, on going needs is weeding and refreshing of materials with
current titles based on curriculum needs and student interests. Improving the reading
ability of the students was one of the goals on the school improvement plan and it is
essential the students have access to materials that fit their needs and interests. Care
should be taken to include books that will benefit the SWD and ELL population.
Subscriptions to periodicals such as the AJC and magazines are almost non-existent and
funds should be allocated to increase access to this type of material. Increasing these
funds after two years should account for usage growth. Adding magazines may be
another avenue to increase student interest in reading and visiting the media center.
Additional funding should be evaluated and may require training staff in the uses of
periodicals in the classroom.

Digital Materials
Increasing the Math expectations was a goal in the improvement plan, so increasing the
access to math and science materials such as videos would help address that goal. There
is an increased interest in ebooks from students and a need for books narrated on cd to
help the SWD and ELL students. There is limited number of students with e-readers, so
making the iPads available for student check out should provide opportunity for
additional reading needs.
  

Equipment
The 20 iPads are in dire need of protective cases and there are not enough chargers to
keep them properly operational. Although every student has a school issued chrome
book, there are certain apps and features that only work on the iPad. Increased awareness
of available apps and training will be needed once they are available for circulation. The
media center was tasked with starting weekly student news broadcasts this year and there
is a need for recording and editing equipment. Students and teachers may be trained on
green screens and free online editing software. The iPads may be used as well since they
all have iMovie installed. Headphones should be available for student use on the many
devices available to them, so this may be a yearly purchase.

Makerspace
Although the new STEM lab is offered as a Connections class, not all students are able to
participate. Providing opportunities for students to learn coding and problem solving
skills would help meet the goal of increased proficiency in Reading, Math and Science.
Students have been asking for a coding club, so this is also a possibility after discussion
with the STEM teacher. These areas help to increase student interest in the media center
as well.

Administrative Materials
The media center has not been a welcoming place in years past, so several things have
been tried this year to increase student interest and involvement. Students respond well to
prizes, so many of these fund will be allocated toward student incentives. Additional
items will be needed to store and organize the storerooms and offices.