LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Update: Aug. 17 at 7:40 p.m.
The Fayette County School Board voted unanimously Monday night to accept the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins. The district is set to form a search committee to fill the role, a release announced.
Dr. Bill Bradford will continue to serve as interim superintendent amid the search for a new district leader.
"As we begin this new school year, the board remains focused on what matters most: supporting students, strengthening schools, and moving forward with care and purpose," Murphy said. "We know this has been a difficult time for the FCPS community, and we are committed to providing steady leadership for our students, families, and staff."
The board voted 5-0 to immediately retire Liggins as the district continues to grapple with a potential eight-figure budget deficit heading into the new school year.
Murphy said Bradford will serve as interim superintendent until a permanent replacement is hired, with no change to his current compensation.
"Our focus right now is working with the interim superintendent to move Fayette County forward and take the steps we need to take to restore public trust and confidence in our district," Murphy said.
Under Kentucky state law, the district must form a superintendent search committee within 30 days.
"We'll be committed to engaging our community fully in that process, uh, engaging our staff fully in that process," Murphy said.
The board also accepted an independent review of Liggins' employment. Murphy said redactions must be made to the report before it can be released to the public. The board additionally accepted the Van Antwerp report reviewing Liggins' employment and discussed financial recovery and a corrective action plan.
The district's proposed 4% tax levy would generate about $13.6 million more but would not cost taxpayers more, according to the board.
During public comment, several audience members called on board members to resign before a new superintendent is hired.
Sarah Fightmaster Bayerle of KY 120 United-AFT was among those calling for resignations.
"They should resign immediately. Their one job is to oversee the superintendent and they failed at that," Fightmaster Bayerle said.
Fayette County parent Matthew Vied said the district's financial crisis has had a direct impact on students.
"They have been trying to tell us that this does not impact the classroom, but it is absolutely impacted the classroom," Vied said.
Original Story:
Fayette County Public School Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins has announced his retirement from the district, effective immediately.
According to a release from Liggins' attorney, the news comes "amid an ongoing whistle-blower complaint he filed in June with the Kentucky Office of Educational Accountability, capping 26 years as a distinguished national leader in his chosen field, education."
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Moody's downgrades FCPS' credit ranking, gives a negative outlook
The release goes on to say that the downgrading of the district's credit rating on Thursday was the "last straw, no matter how the administration would prefer to spin the School Board’s failures."
Liggins provided a statement in the release:
"Serving Fayette County Public Schools has been one of the capstone honors of my professional life. Since 2021, I have had the privilege of leading Kentucky’s second-largest school district and working with extraordinary students, families, teachers, administrators, staff, community partners, and public servants who care deeply about the future of Lexington and the Commonwealth.
Together, we achieved historic progress. FCPS reduced campuses requiring Comprehensive School Intervention to zero; accelerated post-pandemic academic recovery; expanded advanced, dual-credit, AP, IB, and career-and-technical opportunities for economically disadvantaged and minority students; strengthened early-grade reading; advanced major facilities work; launched a public Transparency Dashboard; deepened community and industry partnerships; and built plans focused on safety, accountability, and student success. I am profoundly grateful that this work led to recognition as 2026 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year and as a national finalist, but the greater reward has always been seeing students and schools move forward.
I retire with gratitude for Fayette County and with confidence that its students, educators, and families deserve stability, integrity, transparency, and excellent stewardship.
I thank Fayette County for the years of capstone service we shared. I will continue to believe in this community, its children, and the promise of public education.
Board Chair Tyler Murphy also released a statement regarding Liggins' announcement.
"The Board has received a retirement notice from Dr. Liggins. Pursuant to KRS 161.780, the notice will be presented to the Board at our August 17 meeting. We have no additional information at this time. Our focus remains on wrapping up a successful start to a new school year for our students, staff and families," Murphy said.
Read the full release below.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
