‘Unacceptable.’ Petition circulating to not renew Fayette superintendent’s contract

An online petition is circulating that calls for the Fayette County Public Schools board not to renew the contract of Superintendent Demetrus Liggins on Jan. 27.

The petition, which had 359 signatures by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, was crafted by Rachel Buser, the mother of three children in the district.

It demands the school board not renew Liggins’ contract.

“As a parent of three children currently enrolled in the Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), I am gravely concerned about the proposed renewal of Dr. Liggins’ contract,” the petition says.

“His tenure at our school district has raised significant concerns about the utilization of public funds and the quality of education. There are many unresolved issues regarding budget allocation and resources deployment, exacerbating concerns among community members that our tax dollars are not being utilized efficiently or ethically, “ the petition says.

“The very core of our concern is to ensure our children are equipped with the necessary resources to thrive and that the funds allocated to education are used as intended.”

The petition added: “Our children, and indeed all the children attending FCPS, deserve an education that prepares them for the future, an education helmed by an administrator whose vision aligns with this purpose. We need a leader who has proven capabilities in implementing fiscal responsibility and improving academic performance.”

Buser said a change in leadership is necessary for the betterment of children’s future and the responsible use of public resources. She told the Herald-Leader that people who signed the petition are concerned about excessive spending.

She said Liggins also has repeatedly refused to speak to reporters and answer questions regarding spending. In addition, Buser said, the superintendent’s office has blatantly ignored legal requests for information from numerous organizations.

“Liggins has failed to create a functional partnership with city leaders, which has been exemplified by the disastrous return to school this semester. Meanwhile, students are receiving fewer in person instructional days than ever before,” Buser said.

“This is unacceptable, and it is time that Liggins be held accountable,” she said. “We have two new members on the board and we would like to strongly encourage them to take the brave and bold step to find better leadership for our children. They deserve it. “

Buser said a group of people against renewing the contract plan to attend the Jan. 27 school board meeting and speak.

“I am proud to let my record of historic achievement and transformational leadership in Fayette County Public Schools during my tenure as superintendent speak for itself. I do not engage in social media interactions or tactics that are unsupported by facts or data,” Liggins responded late Thursday night.. “My focus remains on the success of the 42,000 students we serve, and I am dedicated to their achievement and the ongoing progress of our school system and educational community.”

School board chairman Tyler Murphy told the Herald-Leader Thursday, “We always welcome meaningful feedback from all stakeholders in our community on any topic the Board considers. Our decisions are guided by a commitment to serving and supporting our students, staff and families through effective governance—grounded in careful consideration of all relevant facts and evidence.

“While open communication is important, social media is not an effective platform for the thoughtful, collaborative decision-making process required to best serve our school community.”

In 2021, the Fayette County Public Schools board approved a four-year contract with Liggins beginning July 26, 2021, with an annual base salary of $275,000. The contract, which runs through June 30, 2025, set out terms of Liggins’ salary, benefits and other conditions of his employment.

The board approved an addendum to Liggins’ contract in April 2024 that included a wellness package and an executive coach costing up to $25,000 per year.

The Herald-Leader reported in August that Liggins made $369,142 during the 2023-2024 school year. That figure is Liggins’ total compensation — including pension and health care benefits.

Liggins’ base salary is $323,227, Murphy told the Herald-Leader in August.

Liggins oversees 42,000 students and more than 8,000 employees. Fayette County students continue to outperform students from other school districts, Murphy said in August.

Murphy re-elected as chair

Murphy and board vice chairman Amy Green were reelected Monday as chair and vice chairman of the board by other board members. Both Murphy and Green are generally supportive of Liggins.

Murphy was elected to the school board in 2018 and 2022. His term expires in 2026. He was elected board chair in 2021 and 2023, according to the district website.

Though Murphy won, school board member Amanda Ferguson had nominated new board member Monica Mundy for the chair position during Monday’s school board meeting. Nobody else supported Ferguson’s nomination and the motion failed.

Green then nominated Murphy as chair. With Mundy and Ferguson voting against Murphy, Murphy was re-elected 3-2.

“The community has made it clear to me that they want the board to have new leadership. I believe Dr. Mundy is highly qualified and has the perspective and characteristics to lead us forward,” Ferguson told the Herald-Leader Thursday.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue working with our Board team in this role as we support the incredible work happening every day to support students in our schools and community,” Murphy told the Herald-Leader Thursday.

Green didn’t immediately comment.

Mundy and Kathleen “Penny” Christian were newly elected to the school board in 2024, and Green was reelected to her seat.

This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM.