Lexington dentist files to run against Fayette County school board member

A Lexington pediatric dentist has filed to run against Amanda Ferguson in the November general election for the Fourth District Fayette County Board of Education seat.

Rodney Allen Jackson, a 50-year-old Floyd County native, founded the Pediatric Dentistry of Hamburg in 2003 and is an owner. He will contend with Ferguson for a four-year term on the school board. Tuesday was the filing deadline to run for school board.

“I’m running because I feel as though the Lexington community needs a public school board that cares about the achievements of our students and champions their successes,” said Jackson. “Additionally, I feel that I’m perceptive regarding financial management and can help address the issues that’s occurred regarding finances.”

Jackson said he is not related to Rodney Jackson, the Fayette County Public Schools finance director.

“Although we have the same name, which may be a challenge for me from a PR perspective, we are not related,” said Jackson.

Rodney Allen Jackson says he’s the best candidate because he truly wants to see “every student thrive in the public school system. I’ve spent my life advocating for children and the less fortunate and hope to bring my talents and passions to the board.”

Jackson said he’s a public school graduate, and he and his wife have always had their sons enrolled in FCPS.

Jackson said he has served on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Board of Health since 2017, serving as chair from 2022-2024.

He said he was part of the Fayette Education Foundation since 2020, serving as chair from 2022-2023. He also has been on the Delta Dental of Kentucky Board since 2014, serving as chair from 2022-2024. He also was on the board of the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, serving as president from 2022-2023.

Jackson obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville, a doctorate of dental medicine from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, and completed his pediatric dental residency at UK. He and his wife have two sons.

Ferguson, who has persistently questioned Superintendent Demetrus Liggins about district financial problems, did not immediately respond to questions from the Herald-Leader about having opposition.

Ferguson was elected to the board in 2022, but also had served previous terms, being elected in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

She has served on the School-Based Decision Making Council at Henry Clay High School and in various roles in parent-teacher associations at her children’s schools.

Ferguson graduated from Henry Clay High School, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University.

The FCPS website says Ferguson currently works part-time at Breeze Financial LLC, a financial services practice, and was previously the executive director of Surgery on Sunday Inc., a nonprofit that provides outpatient surgeries.

This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 10:08 AM.