Mayor Jones and President Samuels Announce Plans to Fund Four New Student Slots to Maggie Walker Governor’s School

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and City Council President Charles Samuels announced today that they will support four additional slots to the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School for Government and International Studies for the upcoming 2013 school year. The additional slots cost about $7,500 each. Funding for the additional slots will be taken from the Fiscal Year 2014 budget that is now being reviewed by Richmond City Council. Currently the city has an allotment of 197 slots to the Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the addition of four will increase that number to 201.

“Maggie Walker Governor’s School was ranked as the #16-best public high school in the nation in 2012,” said the Mayor. “I have made it a priority during my time in office to make sure that every child has an opportunity to grow and learn. To that end, when slots are available at this great school, I want to make sure that we offer them to Richmond students.”

Councilman Samuels said, “I appreciate the Mayor’s help in getting additional slots for Richmond students. Maggie Walker is a great school that offers an incredible education! We want to continue to expand upon our strengths as we move forward.”

Richmond School Board Chair Jeffrey Bourne said, “Maggie Walker Governor’s School is one of the most important educational pillars of not only the city of Richmond, but the entire region. Anytime we can expand this type of opportunity for Richmond residents, we need to jump at the chance.”

The availability of additional slots to the Maggie Walker Governor’s School became available when Hanover County reduced their slot allotment by seven. The Mayor and his administration, Richmond City Council, Richmond School Board and Richmond Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Brandon worked to acquire the additional slots for city youth.