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Advocates of MoVIP decry cuts to online school

Students and families affected by state budget cuts made to MoVIP, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program. (Stephen Brooks/News Tribune photo)

By News Tribune staff

Published: Sunday, November 1, 2009 7:06 AM CST

State budget cuts are gutting MoVIP, the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, which pays for close to 1,600 Missouri students to attend the online school.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Nixon cut $204 million from the state's $23.7 billion budget, including close to half of MoVIP's $4.8 million budget. The $2.3 million cut amounts to most of the program's money for the second semester, which starts in January.

Students in the program include those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and allergies. Some others have learning or physical disabilities, including autism.

Tuition for a semester (for four classes) was $1,300, but the state picked up the tab for nearly all of the students.

The program will remain open next semester, but parents will have to pay the tuition, which could increase if fewer students enroll.

Donna Stallings, a Lincoln University math professor with four children in MoVIP, said her family can't afford to pay the tuition costs, especially with such little warning.

"The whole reason we did this is that we're not completely happy with the public schools," she said. "Going back is not my first option."

Read an expanded version of this article in our e-Edition for Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009.


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