Ninety-three Kentucky superintendents endorse Gov. Beshear's universal pre-K plan

A coalition of Kentucky school superintendents delivered a letter to members of the General Assembly on Feb. 5 urging lawmakers to fund Gov. Andy Beshear’s Pre-K for All proposal in the 2026-2027 budget, Appalachian Newspapers staff reported on The Hazard Herald and Christian County Now. The signatories were described as representing more than half of the state’s school districts; WNKY reported slightly different numbers, saying 91 superintendents had endorsed the initiative during a Team Kentucky update.

Supporters framed the push as both a classroom and an economic priority. Only 14,000 of Kentucky’s 54,000 4-year-olds currently have access to pre-K, a gap cited by multiple outlets that underscores how many Perry County families lack public preschool options. The superintendent letter, quoted in Christian County Now, said, “We know families are struggling to pay the bills and lack of childcare is a key driver. Pre-K for All can help ease the financial burden and boost household earnings by nearly $9,000 dollars each year for at least six years. That’s $54,000 more dollars in the pockets of our families, cycling through our local economies, creating and maintaining jobs, and growing our communities.”

Gov. Beshear used those economic and readiness arguments in public remarks. “Education leaders from across the state have stated clearly that Kentucky’s students and our families cannot wait: Pre-K access for every 4-year-old must be a priority this session to move our state forward,” Beshear said in a news release quoted by Christian County Now. At a Team Kentucky update, Beshear described local officials from both parties backing the idea and pushed back on the notion the bills are stalled, saying, “No, I certainly don’t think it’s dead in the water. … In the end, my job’s just to fight for what’s right, and it is right for every four year old to get off to a good start,” as reported by WNKY.

Local superintendents added educator voices to the policy case. Dr. Lori Jones of Woodford County told the Team Kentucky update, “We need Pre-K for All because it is the single most effective way to ensure every child arrives in kindergarten ready to learn.” Clark County Superintendent Dr. Dustin Howard said, “Schools have a life-changing power. … The question is no longer if we can afford it, but how can we afford not to?”

Named signatories in regional coverage included Chris Bentzel of Christian County and Nick Carter of Breckinridge County, while WNKY listed Travis Hamby, Robert Tuck, Amanda Abell, Brian Alexander, Dan Costellow and Rob Clayton among endorsers. Reporting so far does not include a complete signatory list; outlets differ on whether the current tally is 91 or 93.

For Perry County, the debate matters in tangible ways. Expanded pre-K would aim to improve kindergarten readiness in Appalachian classrooms, reduce out-of-pocket childcare costs that pressure working parents, and bolster local labor markets by freeing caregivers to pursue steady work. The superintendent letter was sent to lawmakers to press that point as Frankfort negotiates the 2026-2027 budget. Residents and local leaders will be watching budget deliberations in the coming weeks to see whether funding for Pre-K for All moves from promise to practice.