Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Continues to Keep Promise to Increase Education Funding
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today gave the keynote address at the Missouri School Board Association Legislative Luncheon where he announced his plan to increase education funding for the third year in a row.
“Education is my highest priority, which is why I have directed more money to classrooms in every budget I have signed,” Blunt said. “The increases I am recommending this year will push the total new funding for education to more than a half a billion dollars. We have a responsibility to work together, Republicans and Democrats, to provide a world class education for our children to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed in the global economy.”
At today’s event the governor announced that his proposed budget for FY08 will include an additional $214 million for Missouri K-12 classrooms, bringing the total increase in funding to more than half a billion dollars in the last three years.
Blunt will unveil his full budget recommendations for increased education funding tomorrow. He has already announced the following funding priorities for education:
- $2.9 million to fund 100 classrooms in 100 schools with technology to provide educators with lessons on how to incorporate technology into instruction and learning.
- $2 million funding increase for the Parents as Teachers program which helps Missouri parents prepare their children for success in school.
- $1 million to expand quality afterschool programs that focus on math and science programming and health programming.
- $250,000 to encourage more students to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in math and science.
Governor Blunt has kept his promise to Missourians that his highest priority would be our children’s education. Over the past two years, Blunt has invested $332 million new dollars in our K-12 schools.
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