Update: June 9 at 11 p.m.
Dr. Demetrus Liggins tells LEX News that he is still superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools, despite emails from district officials earlier Tuesday evening saying that he has resigned.
It’s the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous past year for the district and its leader.
Just two months ago, Liggins withdrew his name from consideration for a superintendent job at a suburban St. Louis school district. The veteran educator vowing to work to clean up the district’s financial woes, stemming from a multi-million dollar budget deficit discovered last spring.
“We doing great work here”, Liggins said at the time in an exclusive interview with LEX News. “We are really turning things around, making history in so many ways. This community means something to me and it’s something that I’ve really embraced. So, I’m back and I’m excited about the work to be done and really ready to drown out the noise of the minority and just focus on the work ahead of us. Our kids deserve a champion for them.”
But the financial issues only worsened after it was discovered that district records have been “fundamentally misstated” for almost two decades.
“Overall, I do not have confidence in the information that has been given to the superintendent and the board”, said Kyna Koch, the newly elected Fayette County Schools District Financial Officer who is continuing her investigation into the missteps that date back to 2008.
That revelation has resulted in layoffs and the need for a $95 million loan to pay the bills until the district receives tax revenues in September.
Many residents pointing the finger at Liggins in a heated meeting nearly two weeks ago, calling for his resignation even though the Texas native assumed the position in July 2021, some 13 years after the discrepancies began.
Tuesday evening, FCPS officials sent out an email saying that Liggins had resigned. But Liggins tells LEX18 in a statement:
Liggins has led Fayette County Schools for nearly five years. He has implemented programs that have helped to raise test scores across the board. That landed him the honor of being named Kentucky’s superintendent of the year in 2025 and was a finalist for national superintendent of the year months later.
Fayette County school board chairman Tyler Murphy is traveling tonight and was unavailable for comment. The board will discuss the issue at a specially called meeting Wednesday night.
Update: June 9 at 8:20 p.m.
In a statement to LEX News Tuesday, Demetrus Liggins said that he has not resigned and remains in the position of superintendent of Fayette County Schools.
"I have not resigned. I remain the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools," Liggins said. "I have only requested that the Board engage in discussions regarding a potential separation agreement."
According to Liggins, no resignation has been submitted, accepted or finalized.
In response, the district declined to comment on Liggins' status within the district.
Original Story:
Fayette County Public Schools announced on Tuesday evening that Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins has resigned.
"Throughout this transition, the Board's priority is maintaining stability across the district and ensuring students remain at the center of every decision," FCPS said in a release. "Fayette County Public Schools remains focused on supporting student success and ensuring a smooth and stable transition for students, staff and families."
A meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the John D. Price Administration Building to address the resignation and discuss interim leadership. Liggins has served in the position since 2021.
