KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffMissouri virtual school may be unplugged because of budget cuts

Missouri virtual school may be unplugged because of budget cuts

By Laura Wibbenmeyer - bio | email

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - Govenor Jay Nixon says he is halting state funding for an online school as part of the $204 million budget cuts. 

Many Heartland students call Missouri Virtual Instruction Program, also known as MoVIP, their school. 

Although Junior Tori Twidwell spends most of her time at Cape Central High School, she says she wouldn't be able to graduate on time if it wasn't for MoVIP.

"I'm taking geometry online," she said.  "I was suffering from a concussion which is why I'm taking the class because I couldn't do it all in one day here." 

Twidwell's mother says the online class has been a great program for Twidwell because it has allowed her to work at her own pace since she does have a head injury.  Although Twidwell will have completed her online class by time the funding ends, her mother says if she would want to take another class she would pay for it because it is that great of a program. 

Unfortunately, that is not the case the Arthur household.  Misty and Stuart Arthur homeschool their children and each course adds up quickly. 

"Purchasing the program is not an option," Misty said. "It's very costly.  It's very much worth it but having seven children and purchasing it for the other kids is not a possibility." 

Thirteen-year-old Morgan Arthur is currently enrolled in MoVIP, and will have to change online courses come the new semester.  That's something he nor his parents will want to do. 

"We really enjoyed the program," Misty said.  "It's been very challenging and this is something that would take Morgan to the next level." 

Stuart agrees saying MoVIP helps prepare kids for the real world and he says it outshines all other online courses.

"I'm doing a masters degree online and I feel for kids that's the future," Stuart said. "The format has been excellent. I know I've compared it to the way I do my studies and it's state of the art." 

Many are devastated that the state funding will not be there.  MoVIP started three years ago and has already provided courses to more that 3000 students.

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