Fayette schools’ directors reinstated, cleared after ‘employee compensation’ inquiry

Two Fayette County Schools district leaders who had been on paid leave since November have been cleared of wrongdoing by an outside investigator with extensive experience in school investigations, district officials said Tuesday.

James McMillin, Chief School Leadership Officer for High Schools, and Jennifer Dyar, Chief Human Resources Officer, had been placed on paid administrative leave pending an employee compensation investigation, district officials said in a Nov. 9 statement.

On Tuesday, district officials in a statement said the two employees were reinstated “after an external investigator found no wrongdoing on either of their parts.”

“The two administrators were placed on leave in accordance with FCPS policy and protocols after concerns were raised about an employee compensation matter,” the statement said. “To ensure an impartial review, the district engaged an outside investigator with extensive experience in school investigations to complete a thorough and independent examination of the issue. The independent investigator fully cleared both Dyar and McMillin.”

After the leave was announced, McMillin and Dyar said they had not done anything illegal or unethical.

On Tuesday, McMillin said, “I’ve worked hard for the students, staff and FCPS community for most of my career and have always made sure my actions and words aligned and were focused on seeing students and staff succeed. At this point, I just want to get back to work and keep pushing the vision of FCPS forward.”

Dyar said in response: “I have also returned to work and have been cleared of any/all wrongdoing.”

She referred additional questions to school district officials.

McMillin, Dyar and school district officials did not provide details about the investigation.