Gov. Beshear expands Pre-K Pilot Programs to Frankfort, Glasgow

FRANKFORT, Ky. – On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the expansion of the Pre-K Pilot Programs to Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools.

That’s according to a release by the governor’s office, which states this brings the total school districts served through the program to four.

Since May, Beshear’s office states his administration has increased childcare access “for nearly 3,000 additional children across the Commonwealth through two major announcements.”

“Kentucky’s children deserve the very best start, and Pre-K for All will deliver that and more by also helping parents save money, boosting our workforce and supporting businesses,” Beshear said. “I am proud that, through this program and our Team Kentucky Early Learning Center, we’re expanding access for nearly 3,000 children across our state. This is progress we intend to build on, because we know our families and businesses need it.”

After receiving approval from local school boards on Monday, officials say Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools will join Robertson and Rockcastle counties in the Pre-K Pilot Program.

These full-day pilots serve as a first step in a phased path toward every Kentucky child having access to pre-K, with curricula beginning for the 2026-27 school year, officials say.

Mark Kopp, superintendent of Franklin County Schools, and Chad Muhlenkamp, superintendent of Glasgow Independent Schools, joined the governor for the announcement, along with children from both districts.

“I’m so proud to stand here today as superintendent of Franklin County Schools. Over the next two years this pilot will serve over a thousand students in our community,” said Kopp. “Think about that: That’s a thousand kids that will have reduced behavioral issues and disciplinary issues and less that will be chronically absent. This is not a hypothesis or an educated guess. Decades of research and the example of states around us show that kids that attend high-quality preschool programs, like the one we’re launching today, do better and go further. Pre-K is the one thing that we can point to that has a lasting and immediate impact.”

“I’m honored and excited that Glasgow Independent School District has been selected to lead the way on this initiative,” said Muhlenkamp. “In Kentucky right now, fewer than half of the kids come to kindergarten ready to learn. Preschool is the single most effective way for every child to get the start they need. We know from study after study, and our own personal experience, that the first five years are crucial. Programs like this help all students have the reading, math and social skills they need to start school. This initiative will put a stop to that gap before it begins.”

In May, Beshear signed an executive order launching the Team Kentucky Pre-K Pilot Program in the first two counties, officials say.

To learn more, visit prek4all.ky.gov.