Amid controversy, will the Fayette school board renew Liggins’ contract Monday?

With petitions circulating both for and against renewing Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins’ contract — and recent shows of support from principals and the district equity council — the school board is set to vote on the issue Monday night.

None of the five Fayette County Public Schools board members immediately responded to emails and texts from the Herald-Leader Sunday afternoon about how they would vote.

Parents supporting the petition against renewing the contract and members of the school boards’ Equity Council Committee, who support Liggins and renewing the contract, are among those who say they will speak at Monday’s school board meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

The contract

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

In April 2024, the school board approved a contract addendum, which included a wellness package and an executive coach costing up to $25,000 per year. The addendum gives Liggins up to 20 vacation days per fiscal year.

The wellness package says the superintendent shall submit to an annual physical examination of his choice and the district will pay the portion not covered by Liggins’ health insurance in a maximum sum of $5,000.

Under the addendum, the superintendent can, but is not obligated to, obtain the services of an executive coach on such topics as leadership and problem solving not to exceed $25,000 per year. The executive coach will not be an employee of Fayette County Public Schools.

Liggins made $369,142 during the 2023-2024 school year. That figure is Liggins’ total compensation — including pension and health care benefits, said school board chair Tyler Murphy. Liggins’ base salary is $323,227, board chairman Tyler Murphy told the Herald-Leader in August 2024.

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

“Under his leadership, our district continues to outperform the state average in student achievement,” Murphy said. “And although FCPS only educates 6% of Kentucky’s public school students, our students represent 25% of Kentucky’s highest achievers.”

Liggins is the second-highest-paid public school superintendent in the commonwealth, according to data collected by state education officials. He trails the superintendent of Louisville’s Jefferson County.

Petitions, statements of support

The online petition posted last week by parent Rachel Buser, which had 1,379 signatures just before 5 p.m. Sunday, says the school board should not renew Liggins’ contract and says the district needs new leadership.

“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.

Last week, in response to the petition against him, Liggins said, ““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.”

An online petition written by parent DeMarcus Lewis supporting Liggins had 1,972 signatures just before 5 p.m. Sunday.

In his petition in support of Liggins, Lewis said, “As a father of children in the FCPS district, I’d like to save the superintendent position that is currently held by Dr. Liggins.” Lewis told the Herald-Leader, “I’m just a parent who sees the good Dr. Liggins has done.”

The Fayette County Education Association, a teachers’ union, supported Lewis’ petition.

In its Herald-Leader column, the Equity Council Committee said Liggins’ financial stewardship is transparent and aligned with the district’s long-term goals. His leadership has been recognized through an exemplary performance evaluation by the Fayette County Board of Education, reflecting his effectiveness in steering the district toward academic excellence, it said.

Principals in a Herald-Leader column said under Liggins’ leadership, Fayette County Public Schools has benefited from transformative initiatives focused on enhancing educational equity, improving academic outcomes for students, and fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusivity.

How to watch the school board meeting

People can attend planning sessions and action meetings and offer public comment at the John D. Price Administration Building, 450 Park Place. The monthly action meetings are also livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel and the district’s Video on Demand service, the district website said.

Spectrum shows school board meetings on Channel 197, which airs Fayette County Public Schools’ programming.

This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 4:00 AM.