I guess I'm biased against cost-cutting software mediums because I tend to personally dislike them, but there is some evidence they're less effective generally.

I didn't get into coding till almost half way through college, but if I was exposed to it in middle school like some of my friends, I'd be miles ahead of where I am now.

I agree with this sentiment entirely, I'm just pessimistic about good coding classes being implemented, and I don't think that money is the solution. I don't stop at coding, they should bring back shop class, add engineering courses, maybe make them semi-elective.

Also, films are cheaper in that they can replace lectures, by making it more available as well as easier to consume.

Honestly if you can't read a lecture faster than you can watch it you probably don't have a future in an academic field. You can "skip ahead or pause" a book too. Of course that doesn't apply to subjects which are demonstrative in nature (here's how you connect a circuit) but it applies to most subjects. If a book wears out to the point that you can't read it, (should take more than five years imo) you can get it replaced individually, older textbooks aren't very expensive. If you know which kid specifically damaged the textbook (as opposed to one just gradually wearing out) you should charge that kid's family for it as long as they can afford it. Teach a good lesson about not breaking other peoples things.