Fayette School Board member files for reelection. Does law make him ineligible?

Fayette County Public Schools’ board chair Tyler Murphy filed for reelection Tuesday, the same day the General Assembly passed a bill that prohibits him from serving any longer.

Murphy is a teacher in Boyle County Public Schools. Senate Bill 4, now law after legislators overrode a veto from Gov. Andy Beshear, says school board members in large school districts can not work full-time in other school districts, making Murphy ineligible for reelection.

Murphy’s term on the Fayette County Board of Education ends this year, but he had previously said he planned to run for his seat again.

Murphy said Wednesday there are serious constitutional problems with the law and that “there are remedies that could confirm that,” but didn’t provide further specifics.

“As I shared previously, it is my intention to run again because we’ve made significant progress,” he said. “And I’m more committed than ever to supporting our students, strengthening public education, and protecting the voices and votes of the people who have twice elected me to serve.”

Lawmakers have criticized Murphy for his handling of FCPS’ budget problems, which include a dwindling contingency fund meant to mitigate budget deficits. While district officials have maintained that FCPS has improved its budgeting processes, the district still saw a loss in General Fund money in the most recent fiscal year, according to its latest audit.

The legislation ousting Murphy, sponsored by Steve West, R-Paris, was originally a principal training bill. But the House of Representatives added the provision that keeps Murphy from running again. Beshear had vetoed Senate Bill 4.

On Wednesday during a news conference, Beshear spoke about Senate Bill 4 and lawmakers targeting Murphy.

“The voters of Lexington, Fayette County elected that individual to serve. And the legislature is trying to remove those voters’ decisions, to negate their vote, simply because they disagree with how he’s governed,” he said.

“And guess what, if you don’t govern well, that’s up to the voters to determine, not the state legislature. I keep thinking, ‘what would an Eastern or Western Kentucky school district think if just legislators from Louisville tried to make a decision about how their school system was run?’ “

Beshear said having local control of school systems is important because they serve local families, and that being an educator is relevant to having the expertise needed to serve on the school board.

“I don’t think we should have legislation aimed at specific individuals that different representatives may or may not like. I don’t think that’s good policy,” the governor said.

West previously told the Herald-Leader that under Senate Bill 4, Murphy could serve out his term, but would not be eligible to serve after that.

“It will not affect him immediately,” West said. “He will be able to serve out his term (which ends in 2026), but will not be able to run after that.”

Murphy, a board member since 2018, is not the only person who has filed to run for the board’s Second District. R.J. Hijalda, a swim coach and a lead at a coffee shop, also is in the race.

Herald-Leader staff writer Piper Hanson contributed to this article.

This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 11:25 AM.