Good schools are vital to Missouri’s ability to compete and create jobs in the global economy, Gov. Jay Nixon said today during a visit to Center High School in Kansas City. The Governor’s “Good Schools, Good Jobs” plan, which he detailed during his State of the State last week, will provide the resources to help the Center School District to improve its science and technology curriculum and fully fund the state’s K-12 foundation formula by Fiscal Year 2016.

“Good schools in every community will help secure good jobs for every graduate,” Gov. Nixon said. “By fully funding Missouri’s schools, like the ones here in the Center School District, we’re investing in our economy and our students. Today’s growing economy provides us with a clear choice: we can expand opportunities for students and improve our schools, or we can settle for less and watch our students – and our economy – fall behind.”

Gov. Nixon’s Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposal includes 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. This would increase funding for Center public schools by nearly $140,000 which the district will use to improve science and technology curriculum by expanding Project Lead the Way, which gives students hands-on learning experiences.

“Today’s high-tech economy demands that our students have the skills they need to succeed in college and their careers,” said Dr. Bob Bartman, Superintendent of the Center School District. “The Governor’s ‘Good Schools Good Jobs’ plan will provide our district with the resources needed to give our students the opportunities and tools needed to compete and win after high school.”

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.