For Immediate Release
Date: June 26, 2015
Contact: Ryan Stauffer
Governor Nixon’s Vetoes Student Transfer Bill and Turns Back on Students Trapped in Failing Schools
Jefferson City, MO-Today, Governor Nixon vetoed House Bill 42, which would address problems with the state’s student transfer law and provide critical help to students trapped in failing schools. House Bill 42 would also provided quality school choice options for families who desperately need them.
Ryan Stauffer, State Outreach Director for StudentsFirst Missouri, issued the following statement:
“For the second straight year Gov. Nixon has failed Missouri kids and their families.”
“Thousands of kids are trapped in failing schools across the state, and the Governor has decided to deny those students the quality school options provided for in HB 42. The legislature worked tirelessly to deliver a bipartisan bill to Gov. Nixon that would provide families with school choices close to home to escape our state’s worst schools. Instead, the Governor choose to side with union bosses and superintendents at the expense of kids. His veto effectively robs students trapped in failing schools of:
- More quality school options for families in failing schools
- An expanded school building accreditation system
- School improvement measures to help support underperforming schools
“For far too long, a child’s zip code has determined their ability to attend a quality school. Shockingly, the Governor decided today to announce his veto in the company of unions and adult special interests, and not with the families or students who desperately need access to better schools. Students trapped in failing schools need a solution now and we urge the legislature to override the Governor’s veto.”
About StudentsFirst Missouri:
StudentsFirst Missouri is a bipartisan movement of nearly 30,000 parents, teachers, small-business owners and concerned citizens mobilizing for one purpose: to ensure every child attends great schools with great teachers. Since 2012, StudentsFirst Missouri has been fighting to elevate and professionalize the teaching profession, empower parents with school choice and information, and improve the governance and financial strength of schools. For more information, go to www.studentsfirst.org/state/Missouri.
