New candidate has filed to run in same district as Fayette County school board chair

If Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy runs for reelection this year, he’ll have an opponent.

R.J. Hijalda, a 29-year-old swim coach and a lead at Grounded All Day Cafe in Lexington, on Tuesday filed for the second district seat on the Fayette County Public Schools board, Fayette County clerk records show.

The second district seat is currently held by Murphy, who has said he intends to run for reelection but has not filed to do so yet. The filing deadline is June 2.

Two of five seats on the district’s governing board will be up for election Nov. 3. The fourth district seat, held by Amanda Ferguson, will also appear on the November ballot. Fayette County Board of Education terms last four years.

In the second district, only Hijalda had put his name forward as of Tuesday. He told the Herald-Leader Tuesday night he was running for the seat “to restore a sense of connection and trust within our school system.“

“Over the last couple of years, we have seen a growing disconnect between the School Board and the community, largely due to a lack of transparency,” Hijalda said. “Our citizens and taxpayers deserve honesty, integrity, and a representative who wakes up every day committed to doing what is best for the children and our entire community.” Beyond leadership, school board members must be better stewards of public funds, Hijalda said.

“Fayette County Public Schools has a budget of over $800 million, and with that level of investment, our community should be seeing much better results,” he said. “While the system boasts a 93% graduation rate, the data does not lie: roughly 50% of our high school students are not proficient in math or reading. We can do a much better job of squeezing every dollar to maximize the experience and outcomes for every student.” Hijalda also said the district’s facilities need attention.

“Students deserve to learn in buildings that are not falling into disrepair. We see significant deferred maintenance at schools like Dunbar and Lafayette, and overcrowding is a persistent issue,” he said. “Students at Leestown Middle, for example, are still learning out of trailers. We must ensure every child has a high quality environment and a genuine chance at a better future.” Hijalda said he is a swim coach in Georgetown, and has coached in Lexington too, and is a lead at Grounded All Day Cafe. He said he’s the son of immigrants from the Phillipines, and he has been resilient as he has survived lymphoma.

“My approach has always been to treat every student and parent with the utmost respect and dignity. I strive to build their confidence and push them to break through their own ceilings to achieve their dreams. I want to bring that same dedication, grit, and heart to the School Board to serve all our families,” Hijalda said.

Murphy has come under fire as FCPS has faced budget issues. The district last year said it was facing a budget shortage and had overspent from its contingency fund. FCPS officials say they have made progress in addressing budget problems, but state lawmakers still have considered options to oust Murphy amid the problems.

A removal petition was filed to the state’s House Impeachment Committee, but it did not progress during the 2026 legislative session. Additionally, Senate Bill 4, a bill placing new restrictions on school board members in Kentucky, would oust Murphy if passed. But the bill was still pending as of Wednesday morning.

Murphy told the Herald-Leader in January that he intended to run for reelection. He did not immediately comment Tuesday. Murphy was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, and he’s served as chairman in 2021, 2023 and 2025, according to the district’s website.

Ferguson, representing the board’s District 4 seat, filed for another term Dec. 12. She was most recently reelected in 2022, but also won terms in 2006, 2010 and 2014, the district website says.

Ferguson has gained attention for publicly asking questions about the $826.2 million budget for Lexington schools and pressing for more transparency and accountability.