Former school board member Ferguson overcomes incumbent Spires and school advocate
.png "Amanda Ferguson, left, incumbent Stephanie Aschmann Spires and Matthew Vied are running for the Fayette County School Board District 4 seat. The election takes place Nov. 8, 2022.")
In the race for the District 4 Fayette County Public Schools board seat, former school board member Amanda Ferguson won Tuesday over incumbent Stephanie Aschmann Spires and public school advocate Matthew Vied.
“I’m grateful that people have faith in me to do a good job,” Ferguson said on Tuesday night.
Ferguson got 5,327 votes with 42%. Spires received 4,762 with 38%. Vied received 2,533 with 20%.
District 4 includes parts of downtown and the Tates Creek Road corridor.
From January 2007 to November 2016, Ferguson served as the District 4 member of the Fayette County Board of Education, and was elected vice-chair by fellow school board members.
Ferguson did not have to file campaign finance reports because she has raised less than $3,000.
Spires had been on the school board since 2017, serving as board chair from August 2018 to January 2021.
“I am disappointed in tonight’s results. It has been my honor to serve on the FCPS Board of Education but I look forward to the next chapter and will continue my advocacy for Kentucky’s children and families,” Spires said Tuesday night.
According to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, Spires raised $4,103 and spent $3,252.20
Mathew Vied lobbied for Fayette students to return to school during the COVID in-person shutdown.
Vied said after COVID, the board and district officials kept schools longer than he thought was wise and he began advocating for what he thought was best for kids.
“I wish Amanda the best,” said Vied. “And I hope she advocates for what is best for students.”
Vied raised $2,483.07 and spent $2,241.88, according to state registry of election finance records.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 8:59 PM.