Gov. Kehoe speaks education, leadership at St. Joseph Christian visit
News-Press NOW
By: Zac Scott
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) — Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe visited St. Joseph Christian School to speak with students about their education and leadership.
Kehoe went through private school in St. Louis and said he felt at home at St. Joseph Christian. He told students about his journey through private school and how it shaped who he is today.
“It was back to that basic advice that my mother consistently drilled into our heads: work hard, play hard and the Lord will provide,” said Kehoe. “Nobody knows what your past is going to be, nobody but whatever it is, whatever you choose to do after you get out of school.”
There has been an outcry across Missouri about the possibility of taxpayer money going to help private schools. When asked by the media, Kehoe spoke about the ability parents have when choosing the school their child will attend.
“I think giving parents a choice on where they want to send their schools to is very important to me, personally, and again, as a business person, I think a rising tide raises all ships, so as the competition to a public school is more evident, where parents might be able to take one of their kids and go to a private school,” said Kehoe.
When asked about public schools in Missouri, Kehoe said public schools need to offer the best education possible.
“I think the public schools try to start getting better, because just like in business, if you’re offering a good product at that public school, parents aren’t going to want to take their kids out of there. And so, I think it does help,” said Kehoe.
One of Kehoe’s hopes is that public schools will gain help from the Missouri Scholars program. With help from the program, Kehoe wants schools to increase their potential and rise in national rankings.
“We have about 550 public-school districts across the state. We have some public-school districts that are nationally ranked and do an outstanding job. We have some that aren’t nationally ranked that probably need to work on improving their targets of that basic educational experience for the kids when they get out,” said Kehoe.
Kehoe said he hopes students don’t let him down and continue to work hard and pray harder so everything works out.