Wednesday, April 6, 2005
Contact: Spence Jackson, (573)751-0290
Missouri Educators Praise Blunt’s Promise Kept Teachers, Administrators, and Parents Applaud Proposed Funding Increase to Missouri Schools
JEFFERSON CITY— Governor Matt Blunt, today, addressed a rally of local Missouri teachers, administrators and school board members who came to the Capitol to express support for his proposed budget, including $170.6 million funding increase for public elementary and secondary schools.
"I have pledged that the budget I submit to the General Assembly each year will include an increase in funding for Missouri classrooms," Blunt said. "Investing in our children is investing in our future. Our children deserve no less."
Educators from throughout the state support Blunt’s efforts to deliver more money to Missouri classrooms after years of withholdings by his predecessor.
Blunt’s budget proposal also increases funding for the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program by $5 million and the A+ program by $4 million. The increase to PAT will enable educators to work with more than 10,500 additional families statewide. The A+ funding increase will help encourage more high school students to stay in school, make career plans and graduate with the skills and knowledge required for career success.
In addition to his proposed increase in education funding, Blunt’s proposed budget protects children covered by the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and ensures services offered by the First Steps program will continue to be available to children with developmental disabilities.