Did FCPS ask Superintendent Liggins to leave? Statements conflicting

Nearly 12 hours after conflicting statements about whether Fayette County School District Superintendent Demetrus Liggins had resigned, officials had provided no clarity.

Several key questions about Tuesday’s confusion remain unanswered, including whether the school board pushed Liggins to resign and how the embattled district wound up with conflicting statements from its leaders.

On Tuesday night, the Fayette County Board of Education announced it had received a “resignation notice” from Liggins, and the school board would meet Wednesday to discuss next steps for leadership.

But in an additional statement from FCPS a few hours later, provided on behalf of Liggins, the district’s top leader countered that he had not resigned.

“I have not resigned,” Liggins said in the statement. “I remain the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools. “I have only requested that the Board engage in discussions regarding a potential separation agreement. At this time, no resignation has been submitted, accepted, or finalized.”

When asked why the board of education statement conflicted with Liggins’ statement, FCPS spokesperson Miranda Scully declined to comment Tuesday night.

Scully and Liggins did not comment Wednesday morning. School board member Penny Christian said Wednesday morning that “no terms have been discussed.”

“I will not speak on board business,” Christian said.

On Wednesday morning, board chair Tyler Murphy referred the Herald-Leader to the board’s earlier statement that they would discuss Liggins’ resignation notification on Wednesday night.

Murphy did not say whether Liggins was at odds with the school board or whether board members asked him to leave.

“The board can only conduct its business in duly called meetings,” Murphy said. “We should be in a position to share more after tonight’s meeting.”

Christian told the Herald-Leader Tuesday night that Liggins hadn’t submitted a resignation and said Liggins had worked in a difficult environment.

“While Dr. Liggins has not submitted his resignation, I think it is important to understand that no one can work under such spiteful, vicious and contentious conditions long term,” Christian said.

The board of education has called a special meeting for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to address the situation and discuss interim district leadership, according to a notice published by the district Tuesday night. Wednesday’s meeting will be held in Room 150 of the John D. Price Administration Building at 450 Park Place, the district said.

Some board members may attend via video teleconference. The agenda calls for a closed session to discuss the resignation notice, followed by any action.

The district has been in the midst of financial strain, as it recently revealed it has been misstating its financial position for years.

In fiscal year 2025, the district overestimated property, motor vehicle and occupational taxes by more than $8 million, Chief Interim Financial Officer Kyna Koch told the board late last month.

The district has laid off employees and eliminated positions, sought a short-term loan and is planning to tap into its rainy day fund to meet financial obligations for the 25-26 school year.

Liggins was hired as superintendent in 2021, replacing Superintendent Manny Caulk, who died in December 2020. He came to Lexington from the Greenville Independent School District outside Dallas.

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 7:50 AM.