Fayette superintendent says he will make ‘difficult decisions.’ Is that cuts?

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins told employees he will have to make difficult decisions in the coming days and weeks, as Fayette County Public Schools continues to uncover financial inaccuracies and incorrect accounting practices dating back to 2008.

“We are already implementing operational improvements, but those changes are not enough to address our new financial reality. In the coming days and weeks, I will have to make difficult decisions,” Liggins said in a letter to employees Thursday.

“I know this news is deeply unsettling,” Liggins wrote. “I will share more details as soon as I have them, and I ask for your patience as we navigate these changes. My main priority is protecting our classrooms as much as possible so that the vibrant learning experiences happening every day continue.”

Findings of financial investigations “will have significant implications on our entire district. There will be difficult conversations and difficult decisions ahead,” Liggins said during a Thursday news conference, especially as district staff develop a proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year. The budget approved for this past fiscal year 2026 was more than $800 million.

District officials on Saturday would not provide specifics about the “difficult decisions” and whether they mean job cuts for employees or other changes.

“We understand that there are questions following the update on district finances,” district spokesperson Miranda Scully said Saturday. “Any updates related to Thursday’s briefing will be provided to the Board of Education on Monday during the board meeting or to the media during Tuesday’s media briefing. In the meantime, it is important that we remain focused on supporting our students, staff, and families while addressing these challenges responsibly.”

Liggins said in the letter and later at a news conference that there are two ongoing external investigations/audits, about which he recently received updates.

“While the final reports are not yet complete, the information I’ve learned is deeply concerning. It appears that our district finances have been misstated for years, that multiple federal and state requirements may not have been followed, and that our accounting procedures may not have been aligned with acceptable practices.”

Two district finance employees have been placed on leave pending investigations and a third is on medical leave. District officials won’t name them.

Liggins said during the news conference he was committed to “following the facts” from the external audit from the Texas firm Weaver Tidwell “wherever they may lead and whatever they may uncover.”

“We are only after the truth,” Liggins said.

He said he would fully support a forensic audit should Weaver Tidwell feel that it’s absolutely necessary. A forensic audit typically examines financial records to derive evidence which can be used in legal proceedings.

Many citizens in Lexington have been calling for a forensic audit for much of the last year.