FAYETTEVILLE -- The two main-party candidates for Arkansas governor said they're committed to fully funding the state's existing pre-kindergarten education program for families that earn up to 200 percent of the poverty level, which is $39,580 per year for a family of three.
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But they diverge from there, with Democratic nominee Mike Ross saying he wants to fully fund pre-kindergarten education for families making up to 300 percent of the poverty level, or $59,370 for a family of three. Republican nominee Asa Hutchinson said it's too soon to consider an expansion.
Speaking Thursday to a crowd of about 190 at a breakfast meeting of the Political Animals Club of Northwest Arkansas, Hutchinson said Ross effectively wants to start a new program.
"Rather than funding the existing program first, he wants to create a new program, and our tax dollars will not go to the areas that need it most," said Hutchinson. "I want to make sure those areas that are high poverty get the funding first, and then we can expand that program."
But Ross said that's not the case.
"First and foremost, we're going to fully fund the existing program," he said.
Ross's plan would cost $37.5 million a year when fully funded, according to his website, mikeross.com. That amount includes $3.83 million to fully fund the existing program and $30.48 million to include families making between 200 percent and 300 percent of the poverty level. He proposes an additional $3.17 million to pay for half of the cost for pre-kindergarten for families that earn between 300 percent and 400 percent of the poverty level.
The weekly cost of quality, full-day pre-kindergarten is $140, according to Ross' plan.
Pre-kindergarten programs in the state are funded through the Arkansas Better Chance program, the federal Head Start program and through local school districts' operating funds. Better Chance and Head Start target low-income families, and pre-kindergarten programs are available through public schools and day care centers that meet state requirements for funding.
Ross said Arkansas is ranked 11th in the nation in access to quality pre-kindergarten education.
"On quality, it's one of the best [programs] in the nation. We should be very proud of that," said Ross. "The issue is quantity. Too many 4-year-olds are being left out."
According to Ross' plan, investments in pre-kindergarten education would be gradually increased until it's accessible to every 4-year-old in Arkansas by 2025.
Hutchinson said pre-kindergarten funding in Arkansas needs to be expanded but not until the current program is fully funded.
Ross said investment in pre-kindergarten education pays off in the long run.
"Investments will gradually increase with state revenue growth and in a fiscally responsible way that maintains our balanced budget," according to Ross's plan. "Economists have shown that investments in pre-K actually save states and taxpayers money in the future by reducing the number of people who live in poverty, depend on government assistance or who are involved in the criminal justice system. In fact, the average return on investment for pre-kindergarten programs is $10.83 for every dollar invested, according to research reported in the 2013 Policy Report by the National Institute for Early Education Research."
After hearing Ross speak on the issue Thursday, Hutchinson was skeptical.
"So once again, he's promising something, but he doesn't say how he's going to pay for it and he doesn't say when he's going to get around to it," Hutchinson said. "We want to find the dollars to target our limited taxpayer resources to the low-income categories that need pre-K. That's my priority. He wants to expand it so if you're making up to 50-something thousand dollars a year, the taxpayers will pay for pre-K."
When asked how much his pre-K plan would cost, Hutchinson said it depends on how much is invested in it -- "whatever the budget allows."
NW News on 09/26/2014