Last week, 63 county judges/executives, 31 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents all endorsed Gov. Andy Beshear’s Pre-K for All initiative, including several Northern Kentucky leaders.
Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr, Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves and Crestview Hills Mayor Paul Meier all endorsed the initiative. The Pre-K for All initiative urges the Kentucky General Assembly to make expanding access to pre-K for all 4-year-olds a top priority in the 2026 Budget Session.
“The endorsement of Pre-K for All from these leaders – many of whom are Republicans – shows that expanding pre-K for every Kentucky 4-year-old should be a nonpartisan issue,” said Beshear. “Pre-K for All will help our children with academic success, save our families money, boost our workforce and help businesses thrive. I am grateful to these leaders for putting politics aside and prioritizing what’s best for our Kentucky families.”
The endorsements were made through three letters, each signed and delivered last week to members of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Kentucky Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Jim Flynn said that member superintendents stand ready to partner with the General Assembly to design and implement a preschool expansion plan, stating, “We cannot afford to let Kentucky’s children fall behind. They are the future leaders, innovators and workforce that will drive our state forward.”
During his weekly Team Kentucky Update, the Governor was joined by Alvin Garrison, superintendent of Covington Independent Schools; Billy Parker, superintendent for Scott County Schools; Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory; and Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton III, each of whom voiced their support for Pre-K for All.
“Covington Independent proudly supports Pre-K for All and the expansion of educational access in our commonwealth,” said Garrison. “This initiative is not only beneficial for our families but also vital for enhancing the competitiveness of our state.”
Since the initiative’s launch in May, over 60,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators urging them to support expanding preschool access. Following numerous town halls held by Team Kentucky across the state, nearly 90% of participants voiced their support for more funding for preschool.
To learn more about the benefits of Pre-K for All and to see how you can get involved, click here.