UPDATE: Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.
The Fayette County School Board of Education has called a special meeting for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to further examine and discuss the districts budget for the 2025-26 school year. Notably, the budget is lower then expected at a $16 million shortfall.
A release from FCPS detailed that Superintendent Demetrus Liggins met with Chair Tyler Murphy and Vice Chair Amy Green to review the updated amount and how the administration's working proposal may be impacted. These discussions, the release read, will not include recommendations for adjusting the occupational license tax rate.
“We know we share a fundamental but simple bottom line: We are committed to supporting a budget that maximizes investments in our students and can be supported by the community,” Murphy said. “Public education is a community endeavor, and we must bring the community along in this process in a way that is clear, concise, and makes obvious the connection between the powerful work happening in our classrooms and the important decisions made at the district level.”
According to the release, the meeting's agenda will not include any action items and it will provide the chance to discuss next steps, and "affirm the district’s responsibility to protect student-centered investments while strengthening the way in which the process is communicated to our community."
We know that our measure of success is the success of our students, highlighted in the incredible stories we hear from across our community,” Green said. “We’ve made important improvements together and want to keep that momentum going. This meeting is about ensuring the budget process is one that continues to prioritize student achievement, strengthens communication, and makes the work of our schools visible to the families and community we serve.”
Matthew Vied, a Lexington resident, said, "There are a lot of big question marks, some very important question marks around the state of the finances." He added, "The news of the contingency being lower than budgeted was a huge, huge red flag."
Original Story:
Less than a week from the beginning of the academic year, the Fayette County School board was back in session on Monday night as they continue to handle the district's budget.
On Friday, Superintendent Dr. Demetrius Liggins gave details on how the district is handling the $16 million shortfall. Today, the budget solutions work group presented their ideas to the board on how they believe the district should act despite the shortfall.
Suggestions include taking the full amount of the shortfall from the contingency fund and freeze spending not tied from contracts.
"We recognize it's not just us, but we also know we have to do something about it, and so that is something why were bringing this to you and why the budget solutions work group brought about some recommendations," said Deputy Superintendent Houston Barber. "But I think it's a pivotal moment and I think we have an opportunity and we have to figure out how to navigate it forward."
Liggins said during the meeting that the narrative that "something is wrong, that this is unique to Fayette County, that we are just wasteful" is "truly not the case."
The public also had the chance to speak tonight during the meeting's public comment.
"True harm is about to happen in this district to many innocent children, teachers and staff through education opportunity options, job losses, to whom you are directly responsible for on a daily basis," said one attendee. "You need to own this, and be responsible and accountable or move aside and please let others steer the ship."
In a news release last week, Dr. Liggins explained that the district has "failed" to communicate budget and financial information in real time. He pledged on Friday that that was going to change.
