To Support Quality Afterschool Programs, Gov. Blunt's Plan Increases Funding for Education by $1.2 Billion

January 18, 2008

ST. LOUIS – Gov. Matt Blunt’s plan to put Missouri students first will increase funding for education with a monumental $1.2 billion over four years, including significant increases to support high quality after school programs and technology in hundreds of schools like Shepard Elementary School throughout the state. Gov. Blunt is discussing his education plan with Missourians on a statewide tour that follows his State of the State address held earlier this week.

"Education is my highest priority, and Missourians can be proud of all we have accomplished for Missouri students," Gov. Blunt said. "By having the vision to look ahead and the fortitude to keep our commitments to the people of Missouri, we will have increased our total investment in education by $1.2 billion. The significant funding increases I have championed have a real and measurable impact on the young Missourians getting a head start on life long learning through the after school and eMINTS programs."

In his Fiscal Year 2009 budget Gov. Blunt has again called to significantly increase funding for elementary and secondary education as well as to support higher education. In total, if the General Assembly passes his budget recommendations, Gov. Blunt will have increased the state’s investment in education by a total of $1.2 billion since he became governor, ensuring Missouri teachers and students have the resources they need to succeed.

Gov. Blunt’s education funding increases include $1.1 million to support high quality after school programs focused on math, engineering, technology, science, health and fitness. Nearly 100 schools received grants for the 07-08 school year. In addition increases support state of the art, technology based learning for thousands of students across Missouri through eMINTS. eMINTS provides specialized classrooms, offers on-going professional development for teachers and state-of-the-art technology for students. There are now over 1,800 eMINTS classrooms in the state.

"I applaud the governor’s strong commitment to improving funding for public schools and for guaranteeing state support for the new funding formula. The governor’s budget proposals for 2008-09 are good news for Missouri students and teachers," said Dr. Kent King, commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Overall, the $1.2 billion in total new funding the governor has championed for education includes:

• $662.6 million in increases for K-12. This funding includes new dollars for Parents as Teachers, new money for eMINTS to support 400 technology-focused classrooms across the state, Missouri’s new virtual school, funding to support access and encourage students to take AP classes, and funding for high quality math, science and health related after school programs. In total the governor’s budgets and recommendations call for a significant 18.4 percent increase in direct state aid for local schools since he took office.
• $193 million in new funding for higher education. This funding quadruples funding available for Access Missouri scholarships, includes $13.4 million to support education opportunities for health professionals, and $103 million in new funding for colleges and universities, which when totaled reflects an overall increase of 18 percent for the Department of Higher Education since the governor took office.
• $335 million in additional funding to support state of the art learning centers at dozens of higher education institutions across the state. This funding will strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities for students and provide much needed funding for enhanced and competitive learning and research centers. The new learning centers will prepare students to compete in today’s global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students’ future success.

Gov. Blunt today is visiting with Missourians benefiting from the $1.2 billion total increase in education funding he has championed. He will meet with Parents as Teachers participants in Ashland, visit with elementary school students in St. Louis, talk with students focused on technology in Cape Girardeau, meet with students benefiting from his landmark investments in higher education in Neosho, and talk with business leaders who will employ the highly qualified and well prepared students in the careers of the future in Springfield.

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