Fayette schools won’t lose money on venue, speaker for canceled convocation, district says

Though Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins on Saturday canceled an August back-to-school staff convocation at Lexington’s Rupp Arena, district officials said Tuesday they won’t lose money on the speaker or venue.

“The contract with the scheduled keynote speaker for the event, Ron Clark, has been canceled and the district will not be responsible for any cost,” district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith said.

“The contract with Rupp Arena has been revised, allowing the funds to be used for a future event at the facility,” she said.

Davidson Smith said that contract was for $30,000, which the Herald-Leader confirmed.

Following criticism over spending $26,500 on Clark, Liggins on Saturday canceled the event and changed it to a teacher work day.

“While we firmly believe that celebrating in the workplace is an essential part of building a cohesive team, energizing staff, and fostering a culture of professionalism and recognition - we hear you, and I want you to know that we are listening,” Liggins told staff in an email Saturday.

This story was originally published July 30, 2024 at 2:33 PM.