HELENA — Republican lawmakers are questioning a plan by Gov. Steve Bullock for a $37 million early childhood education program.
The proposal would make grants available to public schools to create or expand programs for 4-year-olds.
Bullock was in Billings Monday to talk about Early Edge Montana and planned to visit Great Falls, Helena, Missoula and Bozeman this week to talk about his preschool plan.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports Sen. Llew Jones of Conrad questioned whether the program is the best use of state money for education.
“We have schools that can’t recruit teachers because their salaries aren’t high enough,” Jones said. “Are we making the wisest investment that’s to be made today?”
Republican Rep. Don Jones of Billings asked why the program wouldn’t just target “at-risk” children.
Montana is one of eight states without any state investment in preschool programs.
Studies suggest students who have high quality, early childhood education are more likely to read at grade level and graduate from high school. They’re also less likely to become teenage parents, require public assistance, abuse drugs or end up in jail.
Bullock plans to include the funding request in the two-year budget he presents to the Legislature in November.
“The budget is a reflection of our values as a state. It paints a picture of what we view as priorities,” Bullock said in a news release. “By ensuring high-quality, early childhood education is available to every Montana four year-old, we’ll demonstrate our commitment to the success and well-being of our youngest learners, and lays the foundation for economic prosperity for years to come.”