Here's what Greenberg says he's doing about universal pre-K in Louisville

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg promised universal pre-K for the community during his campaign. Six months after taking office, he's forming a committee to reach that goal.

Greenberg announced Tuesday his office has formed an early learning action group that will focus on "implementing a road map" toward achieving affordable and sustainable pre-K programs for all, spokesman Kevin Trager told The Courier Journal.

More: Gov. Beshear and Mayor Greenberg want universal preschool. Can it happen in Kentucky?

The news comes one week after Greenberg announced his office is providing $4.6 million in grants to organizations working to bolster early learning in the city.

“The grants we are making today are the best investment we can make in the future of our community,” Greenberg said in a release. “Not only are these funds going to facilitate programs and activities that ensure our children are ready for school and ready to learn, but we’re also making sure that investments are being made in some communities that have been overlooked for too long, including our New American communities."

This group's members have their work cut out for them, as several questions about Greenberg's promise remain:

Who will administer the programs? Who will run them? How long they will last? How will they be funded?

The 20-member group - comprised of people from across the city and state - will meet twice a month to address those sort of questions.

More: Some JCPS schools buy shiny, nice things and others get hand-me-downs. Here's why

"Our hope is that by the time the mayor presents his budget next year in 2024, he’s able to include this plan for universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds," Trager said.

While some cities have achieved universal pre-K by creating a new tax revenue to fund the programs, Trager has previously said the mayor's office will find funding through other means.

Right now, a small percentage (about 2,200) of the city's 4-year-olds are participating in pre-K programs offered by Jefferson County Public Schools. While there are many more being taught in child care centers, it is unknown how many are being served and if their programs align with the state's pre-K standards.

Access is a hurdle for some families, while others are not aware of the benefits of pre-K. But as the city tackles those two barriers, leaders will also need to figure out how they will find the workforce to handle higher enrollment numbers - given JCPS has struggled with a teacher shortage for years.

Who are the members of Greenberg's early learning action group?

• Julie Raque Adams, Kentucky state senator

• Jason Adkins, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative

• Alma Aldana, Backside Learning Center

• Cassie Chambers Armstrong, Kentucky state senator

• Ashley Brandt, Metro United Way

• Ashley Butler, Novak Family Foundation

• Marland Cole, Evolve502

• Pam Darnall, Family & Children's Place

• Cori Gadansky, Community Coordinated Child Care

• Benjamin Gies, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence

• Rina Gratz, JCPS

• Mary Jolly, Louisville Metro Public Health & Wellness

• Jon Lee, U of L Early Childhood Research Center

• Hans Peterson, Child Care Aware

• Tony Peyton, National Center for Families Learning

• Josie Raymond, Kentucky state representative

• Matt Sawyers, Office of the Governor

• Jean Scott, PNC Bank

• Terry Tolan, Center for Nonprofit Excellence

• Sarah Vanover, Kentucky Youth Advocates

• Kristen Williams, Play Cousins Collective

Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Greenberg forms action group to study universal pre-K in Louisville