Gov. Beshear Expands Pre-K Pilot Programs to Frankfort and Glasgow

Programs now in Barren, Franklin, Robertson and Rockcastle counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 14, 2026) - On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced the expansion of the Pre-K Pilot Programs to Franklin County Schools and Glasgow Independent Schools, bringing the total school districts served through the program to four. Since May, the Governor and his administration have 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," said Gov. Beshear. "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 the local school boards on Monday, 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, responsible path toward every Kentucky child having access to pre-K, with curricula beginning for the 2026-2027 school year.

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, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order launching the Team Kentucky Pre-K Pilot Program in the first two counties. The Governor also announced the September opening of the Team Kentucky Early Learning Center, set to serve executive branch state employees.

Leading up to the 2026-2027 budget session, Pre-K for All received widespread support from local, business and education leaders, as well as parents and families from across Kentucky. Support letters were sent directly to the General Assembly, including:

• A letter from more than 150 business owners from across the commonwealth;
• A letter from 93 school superintendents representing over half of Kentucky's school districts;
• A letter from 46 local and regional chambers of commerce and their presidents;
• A letter from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA), which represents 3,300 education leaders across the state; and
• Three letters from 63 county judge/executives, 34 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS).

Since the initiative was launched in May 2025, over 66,000 Kentuckians wrote to their state legislators asking them to support expanding access to preschool. 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, visit prek4all.ky.gov.

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