LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Fayette County Public Schools held a board meeting Monday night, voting on several major items including approving negotiations on a new contract addendum for Acting Superintendent Dr. Bill Bradford, hiring an out-of-state auditing firm, and approving a new job description for the Director of Finance position.
The board voted 5-0 to authorize the board chair to negotiate a contract addendum with Acting Superintendent Dr. Bill Bradford, who took over as acting superintendent on June 10 of this year after Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins was placed on paid administrative leave.
More discussion could come at the district's next action meeting on July 20th.
The board also voted unanimously to hire Mauldin & Jenkins Certified Public Accountants to audit the district's finances for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The firm is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and will serve Fayette County Schools through its Chattanooga, Tennessee office.
The contract is worth up to $131,750, plus $225 per hour for any additional services.
Interim Chief Financial Officer Kyna Koch said the district was pleased with the bid.
"We paid $130,000 for our audit last year, so the $125,000 is right in line with what we have been paying and is actually less than we would have expected, given our current situation. We were thrilled with the bid," said Koch.
The contract includes both the standard annual audit and a restatement of fiscal year 2024-25. A restatement means previously reported financial figures will be reviewed and potentially corrected.
Under the terms of the contract, the auditors must begin work by August 1, 2026 and complete the audit by November 15, 2026. If the deadline is missed, the district can withhold 10 percent of the auditing firm's payment.
The contract is for one year with the option to extend for ancillary services for five years.
FCPS had issued a Request for Proposals for audit services and received only one response — from Mauldin & Jenkins.
Koch said the district is confident in the firm's experience with large school districts.
"They do Cobb County, Georgia, so they're used to doing large school districts, and we've already been in communication with them and are pleased with the level of support they've already offered minus a contract," said Koch.
The board also approved a new job description for the position of Director of Finance.
Dr. Bill Bradford also highlighted the progress the district has been making in their 'New Way Forward Strategic Plan.'
The board also went into closed session to discuss pending litigation and investigations that could lead to employee discipline.
It is unclear who or what the discussions involved.
No action was taken when the board reconvened in open session.
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