CHRISTIAN COUNTY, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – On Feb. 9, 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. Among these was Superintendent Chris Bentzel with Christian County Public Schools.

“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 in a news release. “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 was sent to the General Assembly on Thursday, Feb. 5. It points out that only 14,000 of Kentucky’s 54,000 4-year-olds have access to pre-K.

“We know families are struggling to pay the bills and lack of childcare is a key driver,” said the letter to senators and representatives. “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.”

In September 2025, Dr. Sam Flynn, executive director for Kentucky’s Pre-K for All initiative, spoke during the Pennyrile Area Development District board meeting in Hopkinsville. At the time Flynn explained that this initiative would not force families to participate in preschool but is instead focused on expanding preschool access to all areas of the state, including places where it is not as accessible or affordable.

Benzel previously shared that with the establishment of the Martin Luther King Early Learning Center and the Inspire Early Learning Academy, Christian County is actively working to provide and expand preschool education within our the district.

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

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