Support for pre-K shows Santa Fe’s values
When we lead with our values, we do right by our children. Santa Fe has always led with our values. As a community, we fought for the living wage long before other cities. We’ve stood strong for cultural diversity, equality and inclusivity not just for years, but for centuries.
It hasn’t always been easy. The status quo is strong. But the drive to create success — and to make sure every child has that same opportunity — is the core of what we mean by “family” in Santa Fe.
We know how important pre-K is, how valuable it can be. It is a life-changing opportunity that gives children from every community, every neighborhood and every background the same equal footing on the road to success.
It increases future earnings. It puts school success and higher education in reach. It keeps kids out of the justice system. It saves taxpayers more money than they put in because if fewer kids fall through the cracks today, we spend less on social services tomorrow. It helps parents earn more, save more and contribute more to the local economy. It creates hundreds of high-quality jobs in education.
But for more than a decade, we’ve watched the Legislature debate bill after bill expanding access. Every year, parents hold their breath, hoping surely this will be the year our leaders finally
give our children access that has been denied far too long, only to see every effort fall short to legislators unwilling to rock the boat. This year’s proposal seems to be headed for the same fate.
There is always some new reason why it’s not the right time.
We’ve heard it all by now, haven’t we? There are more pressing issues, or business will move jobs out, or a big tax cut will work better to build the economy. Or, as we’re hearing today from opponents of our proposal to create real access to pre-K for thousands of Santa Fe kids, we just need more time to “study the issue.”
The truth is, those are just excuses to avoid supporting a realistic funding source for pre-K.
In Santa Fe, the time for excuses is long past. The will and the opportunity are there for us to make a difference in the lives of our children and in the future of this community, right now, if we only have the courage to embrace the fundamental belief that if we come together and put our community first, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.
The Pre-K for Santa Fe proposal, which will be debated this Wednesday night at the City Council, has been two years in the works. Leading education experts, economists, local restaurants and businesses and nonprofit advocates have added their voices and ideas to the plan. It has broad and deep community support. While some who claim to speak for the business or restaurant community oppose it, 75 businesses — including nearly two dozen Santa Fe restaurants — have signed on to publicly support it. More than 3,000 Santa Fe residents and 45 community organizations have joined them.
Our families are counting on us to lead. There is no better investment we can make for our kids and our future than pre-K. But don’t be fooled: Pre-K without a funding source means no pre-K. And if we delay again, for yet another year — as some city councilors and the soda industry want — at least 1,000 Santa Fe kids and their families will be denied this incredible resource.
Are we a city that lives by our values or just one that talks about them? At the end of the night Wednesday, we’ll know one way or the other.
I have full confidence in the courage of this governing body to do right by Santa Fe’s kids and let voters weigh in May 2 on Pre-K for Santa Fe.