Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt wants multi-million dollar increases for elementary, secondary and higher education in the coming budget year. Several education bills also have been pre-filed in the Missouri General Assembly dealing with everything from vouchers to testing athletes for steroids.
“We have succeeded in reversing a decade-long assault on higher education,” said state Sen. Gary Nodler, R.-Joplin, chairman of the Senate appropriations committee. “Next year, we will raise it to its highest level of spending in history.”
Blunt recommended last week an additional $121.3 million for elementary and secondary education in 2008, a 4.3 percent increase from last year. He also called for about $2.9 million in additional funding for 400 computer classrooms statewide, more advanced-placement math and science classes and after-school programs.
Blunt also wants an additional $40 million in direct funding for Missouri colleges and universities, a 4.4 percent increase.
Higher education also would receive an extra $80.9 million for additional needs-based scholarships.
Terri Agee, interim president of Missouri Southern State University, said she was happy to hear of the increases.
An extra $27.5 million for Access Missouri scholarships will send more students to college, she said.
“That program is very beneficial to our students,” Agee said. “We have more than 1,000 students participating in the program.”
Another issue that may surface in the 2008 legislative session is school choice.
Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O’Fallon, has submitted a bill that would allow parents of private-school or home-schooled students to be reimbursed their school property taxes.
State Rep. Ron Richard, R.-Joplin, who is slated to become speaker of the House in 2009, supports debate on the issue.
“There needs to be a serious debate, and I would allow that debate to happen,” Richard said.
The Missouri National Education Association has traditionally opposed school choice, arguing that it would divert public funds into private schools without accountability.
Officials with the MNEA could not be reached for comment.
Also on tap
Other pre-filed legislation that pertains to education in Missouri:
- A bill that would require mandatory drug testing of student athletes with an emphasis on anabolic steroids.
- A bill that would allow the state auditor to audit any school district in the same manner as any state agency.
- A revision of a bill that bars abortion providers from presenting sex education training in public schools.
- A bill that would require all schools to use traditional names of holidays — meaning a school district would have to call its winter break a “Christmas” break.
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