With 3-2 vote, FCPS school board says superintendent ‘meets expectations’

Amid heavy public criticism for his handling of a tax increase proposal, the Fayette Board of Education voted 3-2 to give Superintendent Demetrus Liggins the highest marks possible on his 2024-2025 annual evaluation.

Board members Monica Mundy and Amanda Ferguson voted against an evaluation that said Liggins met expectations in all areas.

“I strongly believe the superintendent and board evaluations should reflect the same rigorous standards that we employ when evaluating our teachers, staff, and administrators,” Mundy said Wednesday on her school board Facebook page. “A simple pass‑fail measure does not meet that standard. In my short tenure on the board, I have clearly seen areas where the “Team of Six” can and must continue to improve for the sake of our students. None of us should expect—or deserve—a perfect evaluation. We need to stay focused on solutions moving forward.”

Board chairman Tyler Murphy and members Amy Green and Penny Christian voted for it. The members had discussed the evaluation at closed sessions in previous meetings and then made a public written statement.

The scoring system only had two options: “Meets Expectations” or “Does Not Meet Expectations”.

Introduced in 2023, district officials say the scoring system focuses on alignment with state leadership standards, professional expectations and local strategic goals.

At a July 14 school board planning meeting,the majority of Fayette County Public Schools’ board members said Liggins, who became superintendent in July 2021, meets expectations in all seven areas of professional performance.

That includes leadership in strategic, instructional, cultural, managerial, human resource, collaboration and influential areas.

In late 2024, as Liggins’ contract renewal was looming, petitions were circulating for and against renewing his contract because some parents had concerns about how public funds were being used and the quality of education.

The contract was renewed in January. It began July 1 and will run through June 30, 2029.

The evaluation results reflected the board’s continued confidence in Liggins’ leadership, his commitment to student success and his effective execution of the district’s long-term goals, a district statement said.

“This evaluation affirms the direction we are heading and the collective work of our school community,” Liggins said in response. “I am grateful for the partnership of our Board of Education and the shared belief that every student deserves access to a world-class education. Together, we will continue to build on the foundation we’ve laid.”

In their written remarks, board members credited Liggins with maintaining a student-centered focus that drives the district’s progress. His leadership, they noted, continues to align with the core belief that every decision should advance learning and opportunity for all students.

The Board cited accomplishments under his leadership:

▪ Rising graduation rates.

▪ Improvements in the state’s accountability system, with no schools identified as underperforming.

▪ Academic gains across student groups.

▪ Improved staff compensation and benefit structures.

▪ Full staffing of all certified teaching positions.

▪ Smaller student-teacher ratios.

▪ Steady rollout of a robust safety and security framework.

▪ Five consecutive clean financial audits.

▪ Enhanced visibility for FCPS as a leader in both education innovation and economic development.

The board recognized Liggins for his ability to cultivate strategic local, state and national partnerships.

Board members praised Liggins for engaging diverse voices in board meetings and ensuring multiple opportunities for dialogue with both families and community partners.

At the same time, the board encouraged “further refinement in messaging, especially in connection to budget-related communication, as the district approaches key milestones in (fiscal year 2026) financial planning.”

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“The Board emphasized the Superintendent’s steady and thoughtful leadership through complex and unpredictable challenges, including the tailwinds of the pandemic and ongoing economic pressures,” a statement said.

“Through it all, Dr. Liggins has remained focused on the core mission of student learning and staff support, guiding the district through meaningful transformation and growth.”

The annual superintendent evaluation is required by Kentucky law.

Tax increase proposal

Liggins told reporters last month the district should have handled its announcement of a proposed tax increase differently, after Kentucky’s attorney general found the process unlawful.

The school district and school board were criticized by residents and public officials for not announcing a proposal to raise the city’s occupational license tax until Memorial Day weekend, just days before a school board vote.

In a June interview with TV station Fox56. Liggins vowed to “do better.”

And in an email to the Herald-Leader around the same time, he reiterated that promise.

“My commitment is to do better, to get better, and with that, sometimes that means saying we got that one wrong,” Liggins said in the interview with Fox56. “Now that we have more information, I’m certainly going in the direction to try to rebuild that trust and let our community know that we really do want to hear from you.”

The district, with a $848 million tentative budget, sought the tax increase to help fill a $16 million shortfall.

But after Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said the district did not notify residents of the proposal with enough time before the scheduled vote, the district temporarily scrapped the plan.

Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball also said her office would conduct a special examination of the district. Coleman and Ball are Republican.

During the interview with Fox56, reporter Tyler Melito told Liggins that “some would argue the district was trying to pull a fast one.”

“We certainly weren’t trying to pull a fast one,” Liggins responded.

This story was originally published July 23, 2025 at 7:50 AM.