Did Fayette school board violate open meeting law when it put Liggins on leave? AG rules

The Kentucky Attorney General’s office ruled on Wednesday that the Fayette County Board of Education violated the Open Meetings Act when it entered closed session without first providing sufficient explanation in open session to discuss putting Fayette County Superintendent Demetrus Liggins on paid leave.

However, the ruling said state law authorized the actual discussion the school board had in closed session, and the board of education was permitted to reach a consensus decision on Liggins’ leave in closed session.

The attorney general’s office cannot void the decision to put Liggins on leave.

“In summary, although the Board violated the Act when it failed to provide sufficiently detailed notice of its reason for entering closed session on June 10, that closed session was justified by KRS 61.810(1)(f). The Board did not violate the Act by reaching a consensus during its closed session, and the Office lacks the jurisdiction to find that any Board action is ‘voidable,’” the ruling said.

Liggins had filed an appeal with Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office after he was placed on paid leave June 10. He wanted Coleman’s office to rule that the school board violated open records law and thus should have to reverse the decision to put Liggins on leave.

School board chair Tyler Murphy said in response Wednesday that the school board was “pleased.”

“While the Attorney General did not agree with the wording of the notice the Board gave before it entered closed session, the Board is pleased the Attorney General upheld the Board’s use of closed session,” Murphy said. “The Board is also pleased the Attorney General declined the request to void the Board’s actions.”

Liggins’ attorney, Amos Jones, said “it’s time for conciliation” between the district and Liggins.

“First they faked his resignation,” Jones said, referring to confusion over Liggins’ intention when he sent an email to Murphy indicating he decided he was going to leave his job but wanted a separation agreement. “Then they misled the public going into closed session. Then they improperly placed him on leave without a hearing, in violation of (a) U.S. Supreme Court’s decision.

“And now the Attorney General has identified a violation they’d insisted never happened. Dr. Liggins operates lawfully and has been right all along.”

Jones said he and Liggins were led to believe the dispute would be ended this week.

“But the FCPS lawyers have suggested they’re only just getting started. God help the taxpayers.”

Lauren Adams, a spokesperson for the attorney general, said Coleman had no comment beyond the ruling.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

This story was originally published July 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM.