FCPS board chair calls meeting to launch external audit, budget investigation

Fayette County Schools plans to hire an outside expert to dig into its financial books to better understand the cash-strapped district’s financial woes.

Late Tuesday, Fayette County Public Schools Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy called for a Sept. 16 special board meeting to authorize an external operational audit, investigation and review of the budget, finance and internal control systems.

Fayette Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said he supports the independent review.

“It’s an important opportunity to cut through the noise and make sure accurate information is out there. At the end of the day, this is about transparency, accountability and using our resources wisely for students,” Liggins said.

The district’s troubled financial summer has grabbed the attention of statehouse leaders.

Sen. Steve West said he has summoned Liggins to Frankfort at 11 a.m. Sept. 16 to appear before the Interim Joint Committee on Education that he co-chairs. The superintendent is also ordered to bring 10 years of previous budgets.

The Paris, Kentucky, Republican said he was troubled because FCPS’ attempt at tackling a $16 million shortfall was “to immediately call for a tax increase on all the citizens of Fayette County, with a lack of transparency.”

“I just thought that was the wrong way to handle it,” said West, who represents part of Fayette County. “It’s just one thing that’s built upon another.”

Jefferson County Public Schools officials have appeared before the Joint Committee on Education several times, West said. He said lawmakers have scrutinized JCPS because as Jefferson County goes, so does the state of Kentucky as it pertains to scores and student outcomes.

“The same thing kind of applies to Fayette County” Schools, said West. “They deserve scrutiny as well. We want them to do well.”

“The main thing for me is transparency. We will have the information. We will have the opportunity to ask (tough) questions on behalf of our constituents.”

West added: “The main thing right now is just fact-finding, trying to get to the bottom of what has happened, what they intend to do going forward,” West said.

Liggins said he had no comment on the Sept. 16 legislative meeting.

Sen. Reggie Thomas, a member of the legislative committee, attended a reception in Liggins’ honor in downtown Lexington Tuesday night.

He said he’s “looking forward to a very engaging discussion between the education committee and Dr. Liggins.”

Thomas said “robust debate is always good,” but he said, “let’s see what the auditor’s results are. Then we can take whatever actions necessary to correct those items and move forward.”

“I really don’t think there’s major problems here,” he said of Fayette County’s budget. “I think the auditor’s report will bear that out.”

Thomas said he thinks the board could do more to alleviate public concerns by putting information in layman’s terms. ”I think some things have been lost in translation,” he said.

Thomas said it should also be noted that “the Fayette County Public Schools is one of the finest school districts in the state,” with high test scores, student retention rates and graduation rates.

As the Fayette County Board of Education considers the adoption of the 2025-26 fiscal year working budget, the members remain focused “on our most important responsibility: supporting students in the classroom,” Murphy said.

“The challenges we’ve faced are not unique. We must approach them head-on, committed to solutions and stronger communications in order to strengthen trust with our community,” Murphy said.

“With a clearer picture of our year-end finances and a 2025-26 proposed budget that prioritizes investments in students, we are ready to take the next steps in that work,” he said.

Murphy said over the past few weeks, he and vice chair Amy Green have collaborated with the superintendent, sharing key recommendations to improve district processes and the board’s work. Many of those have already been implemented, he said.

“This independent review will build on that progress, identify other solution areas, and reinforce our promise to the community to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Murphy said.

“Our board remains committed to ensuring that every child in our care has the opportunity to succeed and the support they need to achieve their dreams. In the end, their success is the true measure of our success.”

Liggins was named Kentucky Superintendent of the Year for 2026, and at a reception honoring him Tuesday night, multiple speakers touted his successes during his time in Fayette County.

Rev. Clark Williams, of the Black Faith Leaders of Lexington and Vicinity, mentioned higher graduation rates, an increase in the number of students deemed college ready and, among other benchmarks, he carefully noted that FCPS has “consistently received perfect external financial audits.”

In his remarks, Liggins quipped, “I often have to remind myself this was something I applied for, I competed for and I prayed for. Be careful with your prayers.” The audience responded with laughter.

He said “misinformation ... often is louder than the truth,” but he said times like Tuesday night’s event “gives me the strength to carry on.”

“I still work every single day to make sure that every single kid, regardless of their background ... have the same opportunity,” he said.

Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward contributed to this report.

This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM.