Finances+and+Budget

Media Specialists are responsible for several line item budgets.
 * Finances and Budget**

You will have an amount designated for media resources from your principal. It should be based on a per pupil allotment. This is called your **Cost Center/Media Center Allotment** and will have at least 2 sub object codes. One code for books/av materials and another code for supplies/miscellanous. These codes are used for your P-Card statement reconcilliation.


 * Collection Development Money.** This is money that is dispersed by Media Services and is typically requested by individual schools based on particular need. Examples of needs include filling gaps in your collection based on collection analysis and curriculum mapping, teaching initiatives at your school, or other unique situations. Media Services will announce IF and when collection development is available and the procedure to use to request it. //It may not be available to all school levels every year. The amount will be allocated based on student enrollment.//


 * SPLOST** is SPecial Local Option Sales Tax. It is approved by voters' referendum for specific things announced by the school board, such as new buildings, technology, building refurbishment, etc. It is usually an additional penny tax that goes to the school board and is approved in 3 year cycles. SPLOST money may be available in the Fall and procedures will be announced on how to request it. You will be asked to submit a proposal and form with pricing. Prices may be from vendors on the bid list, on the state contract bid list or from local merchants. See media center web site for forms and a list of vendors.


 * ESOL:** Certain schools qualify for ESOL collection development $$. Media Services will announce which schools are eligible and if money is available. The request process is similar to regular collection development funds.


 * Local Funds:** These are funds generated directly at your school such as Book Fair, BEAR Fair, PTA grants, individually secured grants, etc. This money is kept in the local bank your school uses and may be subject to rules at your school. Often schools use this money for incentives, author visits, media center upgrades, equipment, books or other needs unique to your school. Your bookkeeper is your best friend for this information as well as any other money related questions!


 * Lost and Paid Book Money:** There may also be one or more "local accounts" you may have for money in your school's local bank, including fines, your lost and paid book account, local fund raising, etc.. Talk with your bookkeeper about this process; generally, you will deposit this money into a unique account and then spend the money on either replacement books, supplies or other materials for your collection.

You are responsible for keeping records of your allocations and your expenses as well as your receipts. There are suggested forms on the media services website, but many media specialists create their own spreadsheet to suit their personal style.

The media specialist should plan to submit a proposed budget to the principal in March or early April of each year. The local media committee should be involved in developing this proposal. This is another opportunity to advocate for the programs of the media center and contributions to student achievement. Most media centers propose amounts for print/nonprint (including periodicals), supplies and possibly AV equipment allocations. The request should factor in the state legislative allocation for media centers, last year’s school budget, local school goals, any new local needs, curriculum changes, collection analyses, and the average price for books (as reported in the March issue of School Library Journal and available online).
 * Budget Proposal to Principal - if requested**