bugg elementary is what's known as a "magnet" school.net schools receive additional resources to attract a diverse student body. bugg gets an extra $406 per child, nearly $250,000 a year. principal armstrong spends much of that money on the arts, and says he has watched his students thrive. >> students that have been in this program from kindergarten to fifth grade have a higher self-confidence, have a higher understanding of how they learn, and are actually making higher test scores. >> reporter: in contrast, instead of the arts, jones county has focused its efforts on improving math and reading instruction. over the past few years, both schools have improved, although maysville elementary has outperformed bugg on most state tests. this year the mindset in jones county seems to be changing. the district hired an elementary art teacher. >> you see all the different kind of coral. >> reporter: at maysville elementary, cindy odaniel teaches seven art classes, back to back, with just one break and no time between classes to set up, or clean