Gov. Bullock asks: "Can you spare two minutes for Montana’s kids today?"

Friends,

In the weeks and months ahead, we will have the opportunity to work together with legislators – Republican and Democrat, rural and urban, from east and west of the divide – to get good things done for Montana.

I ran for Governor to ensure that the Montana we leave our kids and grandkids is even better than the Montana that we grew up in. That’s why I want to make sure every Montana four-year-old has the opportunity to access voluntary, high-quality early childhood education.

But pre-K won’t happen without your help.

Universal pre-K is a good investment for Montana.

* Pre-K ensures all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn

* Every $1 spent on high-quality pre-K programs creates $7 in future savings to the communities and states that invest by reducing absenteeism of working parents, lowering crime rates and building a stronger future workforce.

* While 42 other states make strong and consistent investments in pre-K and early childhood programs, Montana remains in the shrinking minority of states that have never invested in our earliest learners.

The Montana Board of Public Education is seeking public comment regarding the standards that would apply to a universal pre-K program in Montana.

Opponents of early childhood education are using this an opportunity to mobilize. We need your voice in support of Montana’s children.

Please take two minutes to submit written comments to the board by 5 PM today. The comments can be as simple as "I support universal, voluntary preschool for Montana’s kids." To comment, email Peter Donovan, Executive Director of the BPE, at [email protected].

Thank you for all of your work,

Steve

P.S. Thousands of Montana children and families are counting on you to help get this done. Please make sure your voice is heard TODAY.