What does FCPS Superintendent Liggins’ contract say about resignation?
The Fayette County Board of Education will meet Wednesday night to discuss the possible resignation of Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, one day after conflicting statements from both Liggins and the school board made it unclear if he was quitting or not.
Liggins said late Tuesday he remains superintendent. That statement came after the five-member Fayette County Board of Education announced they had received a resignation notice from Liggins.
“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,” Liggins said.
Liggins was hired in July 2021 for a four-year term after the sudden death of former Superintendent Manny Caulk. The board approved a second four-year contract in January 2025. He is reviewed annually, according to his contract. The current four-year contract expires June 30, 2029.
However, his contract, which is available on the district’s website, is silent on whether he could receive a payout or monetary settlement if he leaves or resigns prior to June 2029.
The contract says:
“This contract may be terminated as per the board’s policies and procedures and under State statutory law and pertinent case decisions, all as may be amended from time to time, and shall also include the following: a. By expiration of its term; b. Mutual agreement of the parties; c. Discharge for cause. d. Retirement of the superintendent”
Liggins has been marred in controversy for more than a year. In May 2025, the district proposed an increase in occupational taxes, or a tax on wages, but quickly aborted the plan after widespread pushback. The district also discovered earlier this year its finances had been misstated for decades. The Board of Education recently approved a short-term loan to help it meet its payroll this summer. FCPS’ $711.4 million tentative general fund budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 includes cuts to 120 positions and the decrease in work days for many staff members.
State Auditor Allison Ball is conducting a special examination of the district, which should be completed later this year and the district has also commissioned an examination from a Texas firm.
Pay, money for coaching
Liggins’ salary was $275,000 in July 2021, according to the contract. The contract allows Liggins to receive pay raises similar to pay raises of teachers if those pay raises are awarded. Liggins announced earlier this year he would take a 10% cut to his pay after announcing other budget cuts.
He also receives a car allowance of $1,000 a month, and a district-provided cell phone, according to his contract.
A 2024 addendum to his contract also says the board can pay up to $5,000 for annual medical exams not paid for by Liggins’ health insurance. That annual medical exam is then given to the board to show Liggins is medically fit for the job, the contract says. The addendum also says the board can pay up to $25,000 a year for an executive coach of the “superintendent’s choosing.”
“The role of the executive coach is to provide insight and advice related to topics such as leadership and problem-solving. The executive coach is not and shall not be considered an employee of Fayette County Public Schools,” the addendum says.
It is not clear if the board has paid for those executive coaching sessions.
On Wednesday, prior to the special board meeting, FCPS teacher Eva Marshall-Aldridge said in an email to the Herald-Leader that “Liggins should resign without any payout.”
“He has not performed his duties as a Superintendent, and his tenure has resulted in a number of staff losing their jobs or reducing their income through no fault of their own,” Marshall-Aldridge said. “It will take years for FCPS to correct the budget deficit, and our students and community will suffer for it. This major problem with our school system could affect our community’s ability to attract new business, and I suspect we will lose some students to private schools. Also, teachers and staff have been waiting for raises for years while the cost of living has continued to rise.”
In addition, Marshall-Aldridge said, school board chair Tyler Murphy should resign.
“He has not led the school board in the right direction,” she said.
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 11:18 AM.
