Childers Speaks at Ribbon Cuttings for DeSoto County Schools

Childers Speaks at Ribbon Cuttings for DeSoto County Schools

Washington, DC – Today. U.S. Rep. Travis Childers (MS-01) spoke at ribbon cuttings for Lewisburg Primary School and Lake Cormorant High School, both in DeSoto County. The new schools will help prevent overcrowding and ensure that all students have the resources they need to receive a quality education.

“I am a strong believer that education is the pathway to jobs, and is the only way North Mississippi is going to lift itself up. I wouldn’t be where I am without a solid education,” said Childers. “Today’s openings will help provide our children with the resources they need to succeed and secure good-paying jobs. They will also promote economic development in the area, helping us continue on our path to making a full economic recovery.”

Since taking office, Childers has been working hard to keep teachers employed and ensure that North Mississippi children get a quality, affordable education that allows them to contribute to a skilled and competitive workforce.

He recently led a bipartisan group in sending a letter to the President urging him to include a long-term reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools Act in his 2012 budget. Secure Rural Schools provides $30.9 million from 2008-2011 for 33 Mississippi counties – 9 in the First District – and 38 school districts. Reauthorization of this legislation will prevent a 75% cut in funding, helping provide students with a quality education and saving teacher jobs.

Childers has also supported legislation to create a $10 billion Education Jobs Fund to save an estimated 1,663 education jobs in Mississippi. In addition, the legislation would provide $4.95 billion for the Pell Grant program to address this year’s shortfall. Both provisions are fully paid-for.

Previously, Childers has championed Recovery Act provisions that increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500, provide a new partially-refundable $2,500 college tax credit, provide $91 million in funds for schools in all 24 counties of the First District, and create a $637 million State Fiscal Stabilization Fund to prevent teacher layoffs and other education shortfalls.

Childers Press
Aug. 12