Friday, June 15, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Secures More Than Half a Billion Dollar Increase for Missouri Students
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today visits with Missouri schools to announce his successful effort to provide more than half a billion dollars in new funding to Missouri students and classrooms over the last three years.
“Education is the most important investment our state makes and is my highest priority,” Gov. Blunt said. “Today I am pleased to sign a budget that delivers to Missouri classrooms more than half a billion dollars in new funding over the last three years. I commend the members of the General Assembly who share my commitment to ensuring our children receive the world-class education they must have in order to reach their full potential.”
Gov. Blunt today again delivered on his promise to increase funding for education every year he is governor by signing House Bill 2 that provides a significant increase in state funding to Missouri’s public school system. House Bill 2 includes an additional $132.6 million for the school funding formula, $27.9 million for the School District Trust Fund, $3.6 million increase for the A+ Schools Program, and a $2 million increase for the Parents as Teachers Program. The legislation also includes more than $500,000 for Character Education Programs that focus on school safety issues. The significant funding increase brings total funding allocated to education in Missouri to just more than $5.2 billion. Also as pledged, Blunt has never withheld money from K-12 education.
“I appreciate the partnership between local public schools and state government,” said Kris Callen, Springfield Public Schools, School Board President. “House Bill 2 addresses childrens’ needs from birth to college and we know a child’s education begins long before they walk through the door of an elementary school.”
“We appreciate the efforts, on behalf of Missouri’s students, that went into the passing of House Bill 2 which provides an increase in funding for the upcoming school year. I can assure the legislators who have entrusted us with the increased money that funding allocated for student success will be spent on providing every student enrolled at Cape Central High School a quality education. The increased funds for education enable our students and teachers to realize personal and professional dreams and goals,” said Julia Howes Jorgensen, Central High School librarian.
“It is a privilege to work as a teacher in our state that is dedicated to fully supporting public education. We are thankful for Governor Blunt’s pledge to make education the state’s top policy priority and his work with the state legislature to adequately fund education,” said Matthew Krohne, Warren Hills Elementary School Teacher.
Blunt continues to identify ways to enhance Math, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS) learning in our state. His budget includes increases to fund 100 technology classrooms in 100 schools and to expand quality afterschool programs for students to participate in math and science activities. The governor has also secured funding to encourage more students to take advanced placement (AP) courses by paying a portion of the test fee for all students that take AP math and science exams.
The governor also led the successful effort and signed a comprehensive higher education reform package. The package increases funding for higher education, provides tuition stabilization, and increases scholarship funding from $27.5 million to $72.5 million. The package also includes Blunt’s landmark Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative which is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) and the state. Through this initiative Missouri is reinvesting a state asset to deliver $335 million dollars for state-of-the-art learning centers for Missouri students this year.