LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — On Friday evening, the Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins provided an update on the school budget, detailing ways that the system plans to financially allocate a $16 million funding shortfall.
"In the past, we have failed to communicate budget and finance information in real time, and I have publicly pledged to do better going forward," Liggins said in a news release. "In that spirit, I am writing today to share additional information about our budget."
Liggins reported again that the initial budget for the upcoming year was based on an estimated starting balance of $42 million, however, the expected budget is much lower.
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The release read that the following is effective immediately:
- Reassign the financial, accounting, budget, and benefit services department to report directly to the superintendent;
- Implement a mandatory hold on filling any district office vacancies;
- Limit all out-of-state or overnight professional development travel funded by the general fund to mandatory purposes only;
- Pause all maintenance projects unless they are directly related to health or safety needs;
- Hire retirees only for substitute teaching roles;
- Provide monthly public updates to keep the community informed;
- Launch an internal review of both current and past financial procedures to ensure best practices.
Liggins released a document that provides a closer look at the adjusted budget plan.
