Missouri was the number one state in technology job growth in the nation last year, and good schools are vital to building on this momentum, Gov. Jay Nixon said today during a visit to Marshfield High School in Webster County. Gov. Nixon discussed his “Good Schools, Good Jobs” plan which will provide the resources to help the Marshfield School District expand access to technology in the classroom and fully fund the state’s K-12 foundation formula by Fiscal Year 2016.
“Attracting good jobs to Missouri starts with investing in good schools like the ones here in Marshfield,” Gov. Nixon said. “Missouri had the fastest technology job growth in the nation last year. To prepare our graduates for careers in next-generation jobs like these, we must make sure our schools have the resources they need. That’s why my ‘Good Schools, Good Jobs’ plan makes a real investment in our students, our schools and our future.”
Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal includes his “Good Schools, Good Jobs” plan, which is an increase of $278 million for K-12 classrooms, putting the state on a path to fully funding the foundation formula in two years. The K-12 foundation formula, passed into law in 2005, establishes the state’s funding level for K-12 schools.
“As our economy continues to pick up steam, the best way to build on this momentum is to invest in our students and schools. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. Even though Missouri already has the 6th lowest taxes in the nation, some folks want to cut taxes in a way that would make it impossible to provide schools like this one with the resources they need,”Gov. Nixon said. “That’s the wrong approach, so I will continue to work each and every day to make sure we’re getting dollars into the classroom and keeping our promise of a quality education to every Missouri child.”
Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 “Good Schools, Good Jobs” budget proposal would also increase funding for Marshfield schools by more than $1.1 million which the district will use to recruit and retain quality teachers, and bring the 1:1 technology program to the high school.
“In Marshfield we have outstanding educators and support staff throughout the district. Investing in these professionals will allow us to continue to offer a quality education to every child,” said Dr. Mark Mayo, Marshfield Superintendent. “Gov. Nixon’s Good Schools, Good Jobs proposal provides significant new funding for public schools which would help us continue to invest in quality educators, and, in addition, will also bring more technology to the high school thereby giving students hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for college and beyond.”
Missouri was the fastest-growing state for technology employment in 2013, according to new analysis by Dice.com of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Missouri gained 2,700 tech positions in 2013, an increase of 8.4 percent, in the category of Professional and Business Services, Computer Systems design and Related Services.
Gov. Nixon has made public education in Missouri a top priority of his administration. Math and reading scores have increased on his watch and Missouri’s high school graduation rate is now the eighth highest in the nation. Over the past five years, Missouri has also led the nation in minimizing tuition increases at its public universities.
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