Lodge Announces Comprehensive Education Plan

Education is the foundation of everything we want to achieve as a state. A well-educated population drives economic growth, strengthens communities, and creates opportunity for every family. That's why we're announcing a comprehensive education plan that addresses the full spectrum of educational needs — from pre-K through higher education.

Our plan starts with teachers. We cannot expect educational excellence when teacher pay lags behind neighboring states and the cost of living. Our plan raises teacher starting salaries to competitive levels, provides meaningful raises for experienced educators, and creates incentive programs for teachers who serve in high-need schools and subject areas.

Early childhood education is one of the highest-return investments a state can make. Research consistently shows that quality pre-K programs improve academic outcomes, reduce special education placement, and increase high school graduation rates. Our plan expands access to quality pre-K for every four-year-old in the state.

We must modernize our school facilities to support 21st-century learning. Too many students attend school in buildings that are decades past their useful life, with outdated technology and inadequate infrastructure. Our plan creates a dedicated school infrastructure fund to address the most critical needs across the state.

Career and technical education deserves equal emphasis and investment alongside traditional academic pathways. Not every student will attend a four-year university, and our education system should provide equally excellent pathways for students pursuing trades, technical careers, and applied sciences. Our plan expands CTE offerings and creates stronger partnerships between schools and employers.

Finally, higher education must be accessible and affordable. Rising tuition and student debt are barriers that prevent too many qualified students from pursuing their potential. Our plan stabilizes tuition at public institutions, expands need-based financial aid, and creates loan forgiveness programs for graduates who stay and work in our state.