NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Senate Republicans crashed a news conference pre-kindergarten advocates held asking lawmakers to reject a budget amendment that will change how the state education program receives its funding.

"He's learning in the classroom," said one father of his son Tuesday. "He's really participating in the classroom."

Department of Education Commissioner Tim Webb and some 30 pre-K advocates gathered Tuesday at Legislative Plaza in opposition to a Republican plan that would draw part of the $22 million to fund pre-K from lottery reserves.

Webb said the movement of funding makes it easier for the program to be dismantled.

Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey interrupted Webb's question-answer session with reporters and said Republican lawmakers were "offended" by a letter Webb sent to state senators saying the move of funds "would undermine the future stability" of the program.

Reporter Cara Kumari contributed to this story.