Fayette school board censures one of its members for social media posts

In a rare action, the Fayette school board on Thursday censured board member Amanda Ferguson for social media posts in May that they said were “imprudent” and “inappropriate.”

A censure is a formal statement of disapproval that addresses conduct the board may determine is inappropriate, detrimental to the board, or contrary to a board member’s position. A censure does not remove a board member from office, carry any financial penalty, or deny rights or privileges, board chairman Tyler Murphy said.

Board vice-chair Amy Green said in a motion the board approved Thursday with a 3-0 vote, “the social media posts of board member Ferguson do not represent the values and expectations of other members of the Fayette County Board of Education.”

At issue were a laughing emoji and a GIF depicting a Furby interactive toy that Ferguson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. She did not post any words.

Ferguson represents the school board on the district’s equity council committee. That committee had criticized the social media content as promoting hate “against the LGBTQ community.’’

“In no way was it meant to spark hate of any particular group, of any particular person,” Ferguson responded at a June equity council meeting. “My intent is never to offend anyone. “

And at Thursday’s school board meeting, Ferguson said: “I view my role as an elected official to listen to all points of view when it comes to public education and I will continue to do that, to engage with my community, especially those who feel unheard and often shut out of the process.

“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this. I don’t really feel that there was due process here,” she said.

Thursday’s board motion did not specifically remove Ferguson from the Fayette Equity Council Committee, as that committee had earlier recommended.

Ferguson apologized at a June 4 district Equity Council Committee Meeting for the social media posts that have received criticism and led to Thursday’s action.

Ferguson said at the June 4 meeting her posts were in response to a post from the account of “That Nema” — Ky 120 United-AFT Co-Founder Nema Brewer, who Ferguson said was a friend. Under a photo of Fayette County Education Association President Jessica Hiler , Brewer posted, in part, “I didn’t realize Hiler was the new FCPS mascot.”

In response, Ferguson posted a laughing emoji.

The Fayette County Education Association, which is an arm of the Kentucky Education Association, and KY 120 United-AFT have at times had conflicts. Ferguson said she initially posted the GIF of the Furby in the wrong spot on her personal X account so it appeared to be in response to an “offensive” comment“ from a third poster who Ferguson noted did not give their true identity.

That post said, “Who’s the lesbian on the left?” Ferguson had initially posted the GIF of the Furby under that comment.

Ferguson in June said she did not make the comment, “Who’s the lesbian on the left” or intentionally respond to it. She said she later moved, but did not delete, her post.

“In no way was it meant to spark hate of any particular group, of any particular person,” Ferguson said at the June equity council meeting. “My intent is never to offend anyone. “

Ferguson told the board Thursday the board action appeared to have become “a political attack based on a battle between two employee groups within our district.”

She said a group for whom board chair Tyler Murphy serves as an officer “had decided for some reason that I am their enemy.” Murphy is on the board of directors of the National Education Association, which has ties to the Fayette County Education Association.

In response to the Thursday school board action, the teachers union 120-AFT Fayette issued a statement supporting Ferguson that said, “Tonight’s action by the FCPS Board was a political stunt designed to silence more voices in Fayette County.”

“Board Member Ferguson has long been a champion for rank-and-file employees, parents and families, often being the only member willing to publicly ask the questions the community is asking. There is no democracy without true debate,” the 120-AFT Fayette statement said.

Green’s motion also said, “We as Board members renew our commitment to our work as a team, moving forward with an unwavering focus on our service to students, families, employees, and our amazing Fayette County community.”

The Fayette County Public Schools board previously voted to send the recommendations from the equity council committee to FCPS board attorney Joshua M. Salsburey for review. Board members other than Ferguson had also reviewed Ferguson’s post before voting on the motion.

“We wish we were surprised by this, but we have seen similar behavior unfold with rank-and-file staff as we continue to build our union here,” the 120-AFT statement on Thursday said.

“Our members often feel retaliated against for speaking out or asking questions and have been warned repeatedly for affiliating with the 120 AFT in any capacity. Why? Why are we doing this? It is only harming our communities and our students. We want to work with the district to help improve educational outcomes for all students, but we cannot fix what we refuse to face.”

“In a time when we are fighting to keep public education funded and sustainable for all kids in every corner of this state, it is appalling that grown adults have allowed their dislike of other adults to spill into the public to the point of a censure,” the statement said.

120-AFT Fayette officials say they will be discussing the matter further in the coming days “so the public can see the full story.”

“Until then, we stand with the ones who believe we can do hard things, with people we don’t always agree with, locked arm with people we don’t necessarily like. Public education shouldn’t be political. Or a popularity contest. Our kids deserve better and we will continue to fight for them. Unapologetically,” the statement said.

This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 9:25 AM.