93 Kentucky School Superintendents Endorse Pre-K for All

Leaders represent over half of Kentucky’s school districts

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 9, 2026) – Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that 93 school superintendents representing over half of Kentucky’s school districts sent a letter to the General Assembly urging them to fund Pre-K for All in the 2026-2027 budget session.

“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,” said Gov. Beshear. “Far too many of our kids are not kindergarten-ready, and we must change that for them, for our families and for our workforce. I want to thank these superintendents and educators for their commitment to our kids and our future.”

The letter, sent to the General Assembly on Thursday, Feb. 5, highlights that these leaders are in the classrooms daily and that they know pre-K works. The letter also points out that right now, only 14,000 of Kentucky’s 54,000 4-year-olds have access to pre-K.

Four Kentucky superintendents joined the Team Kentucky Update last week to share why they support Pre-K for All.

“We need Pre-K for All because it is the single most effective way to ensure every child arrives in kindergarten ready to learn,” said Dr. Lori Jones, superintendent of Woodford County Schools. “We want every student to be successful, so working with the General Assembly, let’s make the decision get this done and make Pre-K for All happen.”

“Pre-K for All is something that will help get students started off on the right foot, lower costs and help parents get back to work,” said Sheri Satterly, superintendent of Frankfort Independent Schools. “This will be a win-win-win for parents, kids and school districts. Let’s all work together to get this done and keep moving Kentucky forward.” 

“Over my 30 years in education, I have seen it firsthand: Pre-K has immediate and lasting benefits,” said Mark Kopp, superintendent of Franklin County Schools. “When fewer than half of Kentucky’s kids are ready for kindergarten, we need to act. We need to make sure every student has a chance to succeed, so let’s get this done; let’s pass Pre-K for All.” 

“Schools have a life-changing power. I would not be standing here today without public education, and right now, Kentucky has the opportunity to change our state, to change lives,” said Dr. Dustin Howard, superintendent of Clark County Schools. “Let’s make the most important investment in our children by supporting Pre-K for All. The question is no longer if we can afford it, but how can we afford not to?” 

The letter from Kentucky school superintendents follows support from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA), which represents 3,300 education leaders across the state.

Pre-K for All has also received endorsement from the business community, with 46 local and regional chambers of commerce and their presidents sending a letter to the General Assembly encouraging them to support the initiative. Areas represented include Bowling Green and Louisville, as well as the counties of Ballard, Bracken, Clay, Floyd, Lincoln, Oldham, Scott and more.

In October, the Governor was joined by members of the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, which shared its report on the need for pre-K in the commonwealth following four months of hosting town halls, 54 outreach events and meetings with local leaders, educators, parents, child-care providers and businesses. The report is clear: Kentucky needs to expand its public preschool program through Pre-K for All.

Earlier in October, the Governor had announced that 63 county judge/executives, 34 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) all endorsed the Pre-K for All initiative. Those endorsements were made through three letters, each signed and delivered that month to members of the General Assembly.

Since the launch of the initiative in May, over 66,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators asking 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 Pre-K for All.

To learn more about the benefits of Pre-K for All and to see how you can get involved, visit prek4all.ky.gov.