‘Crisis of their own making.’ Fayette lawmakers criticize FCPS’ missteps

State lawmakers from both parties Tuesday leveled criticism at Fayette County Public Schools leaders for their handling of the district’s budget crisis and insistence to consider a potential employment tax hike to solve it.

That’s a “flawed plan,” said Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe.

“I had hoped the FCPS board majority and superintendent would take steps to restore public confidence. Instead, they have only deepened the breach. This is a crisis of their own making,” the Lexington Republican said.

Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, who represents part of Fayette County, and Rep. Anne Donworth, D-Lexington, also issued statements about FCPS’ budget situation.

The district is preparing for a new public hearing on Sept. 5. That would allow the school board to legally vote on the increase. Board chair Tyler Murphy said it doesn’t mean the district is taking a position.

He said the tax increase and several other budget issues will be discussed.

However, members of a Budget Solution Work Group who spoke against the increase are upset by the hearing, which was announced at Monday’s school board meeting.

FCPS projected a $42 million contingency fund, but internal estimates now show it may be as low as $15 million, Bledsoe cited.

“Days after pledging a travel freeze, they listed $46,000 in out-of-state trips. They approved eminent domain actions that triggered lawsuits from homeowners who say they were never notified. They still reportedly owe over $500,000 for crisis equipment that remains in use,” she said.

“The attorney general (Russell Coleman) ruled the district’s May tax vote unlawful. That should have prompted a full reset, which I and many others called for. Instead, FCPS doubled down with inconsistent financial claims, further constituent mistrust, and now another hearing to revive a plan that was flawed from the start.”

Bledsoe added: “This level of dysfunction feels like a rejected script from a political satire, but it is real, and Fayette County families and dedicated district staff and teachers are the ones left paying the price.”

Fayette County Schools officials on Tuesday night released a statement that said:

“Last night (August 18), the Board was presented all ten recommendations of the Budget Solutions Workgroup, thanking the group for their work. Board members asked thoughtful, specific, and probing questions related to each recommendation and their impacts on student learning. Gathering answers will require the administration to conduct more research, do a deeper dive, and return to the Board with more information.

No decisions were made last night. The Board plans to hold a special called meeting on Sept. 5th to hear this information, have more discussion, and solicit more public input. As was shared last night, no decisions will be made on Sept. 5th and the Board remains focused on receiving all relevant information.”

But they have previously said the projected increase on the current rate would generate $27 million to $32 million year. The board previously wanted to increase the school occupational license tax rate from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent.

Business leaders reject talk of tax hike

Carla Blanton, the chair of Commerce Lexington, on behalf of that group’s members who served on the FCPS Budget Solutions Work Group, had asked the school district not to pursue the Occupational License Tax increase.

“We are disappointed and disheartened that the presentation at last night’s school board meeting so summarily dismissed the recommendations of the work group, which comprises members of all segments of the community and was selected by FCPS,” Blanton said Tuesday.

“In particular, the focus on – and characterization of -- the occupational license tax being a recommendation of the work group and the only solution without a negative consequence was misrepresented to the board. The tax was, by far, the lowest ranked option of a group that was, again, hand-picked by school leadership.”

Nevertheless, Blanton said her group would remain committed to doing the hard work of finding small budget cuts that don’t impact students and getting to the bottom of the status of the contingency, which must be part of the solution.

She said they will work with FCPS on long-term solutions to help it regain fiscal strength.

Bledsoe said she was grateful for the time and dedication of the members of the Budget Solutions Work Group.

“Their voices reflect the frustration and concerns of Fayette County residents, and their leadership and recommendations matter. These voices and others are needed now more than ever,” she said.

“Public trust requires real accountability and structural change. The next chapter for FCPS must be written with transparency and integrity at the center. The community is watching and waiting for leadership that earns it.”

Why is Bledsoe raising so many alarms about FCPS?

“Bledsoe’s comments have focused on the actions of the Fayette County School Board majority and the superintendent, not the daily work of teachers and staff who continue serving students with dedication in spite of the embarrassing actions of the district’s leadership,” said Dustin Isaacs, Deputy Communications Director, Senate President’s Office.

It was Bledsoe, after hearing concerns from constituents, who formally requested an opinion from Coleman regarding the board’s occupational tax vote. That opinion said the vote was unlawful. Her involvement was rooted in transparency and accountability, Isaacs said.

Two other legislators criticize FCPS

Bledsoe is not the only legislator irked with the budget crisis at FCPS and how officials are handling it.

Lockett called for greater accountability from FCPS leaders on Facebook this week.

“As I’ve said all along, this isn’t a political issue, but rather a question of accountability and leadership,” the Nicholasville Republican said.

“The people of Fayette County deserve straight answers, not smoke and mirrors. Families, teachers and taxpayers have watched in disbelief as the district hemorrhages money in a meltdown marked by secrecy, shifting numbers and broken trust.”

Lockett added, “The people of Fayette County deserve a school system that puts students first, manages taxpayer dollars responsibly and operates in the light of day. Until that happens, trust will remain broken and the calls for new leadership will only grow louder.”

Donworth, a Lexington Democrat and district parent, said in a statement she and many others have been seeking transparency and factual information about the proposed budget shortfall, “which we have yet to receive.”

“Unfortunately, the majority of the FCPS board seems unwilling to accept the recommendations put forward by the group they themselves convened,” Donworth said, referring to the Budget Solutions Work Group.

“The community is understandably upset, and we deserve answers,” Donworth said.

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This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM.