Nixon for Governor Statement on Congressman Hulshof’s Education Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

School Administrators Endorse Nixon for Governor Today

SAINT LOUIS -- Today, Congressman Hulshof put forward an education plan that amounts to little more than another voucher scheme -- a backdoor attempt to subsidize private schools with tax dollars.  According to the Congressman's campaign, he plans to create a tax credit "which can be used for tuition or tutoring." 

On the other hand, Attorney General Nixon supports tax deductions for business leaders and individuals who invest in public schools in challenged school districts.

"Congressman Hulshof wants to subsidize private schools with public tax dollars, and the people of Missouri won't have it," said Oren Shur, Nixon's campaign spokesman.  "Instead of using taxpayer dollars for private schools, Jay Nixon believes we must encourage business leaders and other individuals to invest in our public schools.  Today's announcement comes as no surprise, because in Washington, Congressman Hulshof also backed voucher schemes that take money away from our public schools. We don't need to bring Washington's failed education ideas back here to Missouri. 

"There's a reason that the key teacher and education organizations have endorsed Jay Nixon for Governor.  It's because Jay Nixon has a plan to strengthen our public schools, particularly in challenged school districts, and will firmly oppose voucher schemes.  Jay also supports improved fiscal oversight of charter schools to make sure taxpayers are getting what they pay for.  We can move our urban schools forward and make sure every Missouri child gets a quality education, but it won't happen with the same failed voucher schemes." 

Earlier today, the Missouri Association of School Administrators announced its endorsement of Jay Nixon for Governor.  After the organization met with both candidates for Governor, it concluded that Jay Nixon is "best suited to meet the challenges facing Missouri schools."

Jay Nixon believes the following steps must be taken to strengthen Missouri's challenged schools.

• Tax Deductions For Contributions To Public Schools.  Jay will ask local business leaders to invest in not-for-profit foundations to fund local educational priorities. Jay believes we must begin anew with the vision of our local schools as the crown jewel of the community. He will encourage public-private partnerships and private investment in challenged school districts by offering a way individuals and corporations can make tax-deductible contributions to help public education. Nowhere is this more important than in our challenged districts, where immediate investment and community buy-in are needed most. 
  
• Recruiting Talented Teachers To Challenged Districts. Jay will work with local communities, institutions of higher education and MOHELA to provide financial incentives to recruit highly talented teachers and administrators, such as loan forgiveness or bonus pay. This is especially important in the critical areas of math and science education.
  
• Reducing Class Size. Working with local school leaders, Jay will set a goal of reducing class size in failing districts, starting in the early grades and working up.
  
• Reestablishing Local Support. Even in those instances where the state has stepped in, Jay believes local community support is critical to rebuild the trust needed to make educational progress. As Governor, Jay will work hand in hand with parents, teachers and school administrators to find community-based, local solutions to meet their children's educational needs.
  
• Making Sure Alternative Schools Are Available And Effective.  Jay Nixon believes that alternative schools are especially important in challenged school districts, where dropout rates can soar to over 50 percent. As Governor, Jay will work with local leaders to see that every challenged school district has the option to send kids to a fully staffed alternative school to end disruptive behavior in the classrooms and provide individualized instruction where needed. He will see that local school districts are able to join with other districts if they so choose in forming an alternative school.  These alternative schools will have a specifically tailored education and mentoring program to help troubled youth get on track to graduation. Jay will also seek to expand vocational- and technical-training opportunities for those who do not wish to go to college.