Community reception planned to celebrate Liggins’ KY Superintendent of Year award

A Sept. 9 community reception at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre is planned to honor Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, who was recently chosen as Kentucky’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year.

The Kentucky Association of School Administrators gave Liggins the award.

The reception is set for 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Third St.

It will be hosted by the Lyric Theatre, Black Faith Leaders, the Lexington Historic Black Neighborhood Association Council, the local chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and the NAACP.

No Fayette County Public Schools’ money will be used for the reception, district spokesperson Miranda Scully said Tuesday.

“The free, public event will bring together families, educators, civic leaders and community members to celebrate Dr. Liggins’ outstanding achievements in education and leadership,” community officials said in a news release.

“Since joining Fayette County Public Schools in 2021, Dr. Liggins has been recognized for his student-first mindset, innovative programs and bold commitment to equity and opportunity.”

“Dr. Liggins embodies the very best of what it means to lead with purpose and vision,” Christian Adair, executive director of the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center, said in the release.

“This evening is not only about celebrating his achievements, it is about our community’s unified effort to honor the brilliance of individuals and institutions too often overlooked.”

The Kentucky Association of School Administrators praised Liggins’ advocacy for public education and long-term commitment to students.

“His honor as Superintendent of the Year is the latest milestone in a nearly 30-year career in education, marked by transformative leadership, innovation and service,” the news release said.

Since 1981, Kentucky Association of School Administrators has partnered with the American Association of School Administrators to highlight superintendents at the state and national level. The award criteria spotlights four key areas: leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.

Ten judges representing business, community and retired educators ultimately chose Liggins from a pool of candidates.

An Aug. 18 reception at the Fayette County Public Schools’ Central Office hosted by the Fayette Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the schools, had been planned to coincide with a school board meeting.

But that reception was canceled to allow district officials to concentrate on meeting agenda items that included problems with Fayette County’s $848 million budget.

Those problems include a $16 million shortfall and a dwindling contingency fund.