Read the fiery letter from the attorney for FCPS budget director placed on leave

Ann Sampson-Grimes, budget director for Fayette County Public Schools, is accusing her superiors of ignoring her warnings about the cash-strapped district’s budget problems and then retaliating against her by placing her on administrative leave, her lawyer said in a letter to district leaders.

“Each time Ms. Grimes advised that budget cuts must be enforced, her peers and superiors pushed back on her suggestions, claimed she was incorrect, or flat-out ignored her sound and correct advice,” attorney Brandon Voelker said in a letter to FCPS Superintendent Demetrus Liggins and Tyler Murphy, chairman of the school board.

Voelker, who has offices in Covington, provided the letter to the Herald-Leader. He described Sampson-Grimes’ administrative leave as “retaliatory and discriminatory.”

This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 1:12 PM.