Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

January 16, 2008

CONTACT:  JIM MORRIS Director, Public Information 573-751-3469

 

Commissioner of Education Praises Governor’s

Recommendations for Funding of Public Schools

State education officials today applauded the funding recommendations for Missouri’s K-12 schools which Gov. Matt Blunt presented last night in the State of the State address.

Gov. Blunt recommended an increase of $121 million in basic aid to public schools next year (2008-09) through the state foundation program, plus additional funds for several other important K-12 education initiatives.

"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 Commissioner of Education D. Kent King.

The governor also has recommended a supplemental appropriation of nearly $29 million for the current fiscal year (2007-08) to fund the second year of the planned phase-in of the new school-funding formula that was adopted by the legislature in 2005.  That proposal, along with other supplemental appropriations requests, is now being considered by the legislature.

With the increase recommended by the governor, basic aid to public schools would increase to nearly $3 billion during 2008-09, which will be the third year of the scheduled phase-in for the new formula.

The governor also recommended significant funding increases for several programs that provide important benefits to students, families and adults with disabilities.  For the following programs, Gov. Blunt has recommended:

• Parents as Teachers                              $36.3 million ($2 million increase)
• A+ Schools                                             $25.3 million ($3.5 million increase)
• Virtual School (MoVIP)                            $6.2 million ($1 million increase)
• eMINTS Classroom Technology                $5 million ($2.1 million increase)
• Early Childhood Special Education          $98.8 million ($2.5 million increase)
• Special Education High Needs                $19.6 million ($1.5 million increase)
• After-School Programs                            $1.1 million ($100,000 increase)
• Sheltered Workshops                             $23.8 million ($5.2 million increase)
• Scholars/Fine Arts Academies                 $818,000 ($200,000 increase)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers state funds to support sheltered workshops, which provide employment for about 7,500 adults with disabilities.  This appropriation will allow a wage increase for those workers.