How much does Fayette County Schools spend on snow removal? Snow, ice keep campuses closed

A Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council candidate criticized Lexington officials Sunday for using city resources to help clear snow and ice from a Fayette County Public Schools campus, alleging FCPS has its own budget for snow removal.

Richard Moloney, who’s running for the 11th District council seat, is correct that FCPS budgets its own money for snow removal on campuses, district spokesperson Miranda Scully confirmed Monday. The district budget is approximately $377,000 for grounds wages, bulk salt, bagged salt, small equipment, and an external contractor, she said.

Moloney, a former city councilman and former city commissioner for environment and public works, criticized the city in a Facebook post for plowing snow at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

“I was out checking in on our most vulnerable citizens of our community and saw city crews plowing a school parking lot during work hours, even though the school has funds allocated for its own snow removal,” Moloney wrote. “At a time when many neighborhood streets in District 11 still need attention, this raises real concerns about how city resources are being prioritized.

“Our first responsibility should be making sure public streets are safe and accessible for residents. Taxpayer-funded equipment and personnel should be focused on the needs of the broader community, especially after a storm.”

Scully told the Herald-Leader that “Fayette County Public Schools remains fully committed to being prepared during winter weather.”

“The district has a dedicated budget of approximately $377,000 specifically for snow and ice removal,” Scully said. “Our 20-person grounds crew performs snow and ice removal operations at 71 of our parking lots, bus lanes, and parent lanes using 18 plows and salt boxes, two skid steers, and a backhoe.”

An external contractor services five district properties, and school custodians take care of the sidewalks.

“We are appreciative of our staff who continue to brave the cold temperatures and weather conditions so that when the weather allows, we are ready to return safely,” Scully said.

As of Monday, the district had canceled in-person classes for six consecutive days in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern that dumped several inches of ice and snow on Lexington on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. Across Kentucky, the impacts of the storm have left more than a dozen people dead.

It is the second year that citizens have been frustrated with snow removal. In 2025, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton and Fayette Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said in a joint statement they would be better prepared for future snowstorms after several inches of snow caused winter break to stretch for nearly a month in Fayette County Schools.

Students in Lexington remained remote for several days after other area districts returned to in-person classes.

On Monday, Scully told the Herald-Leader,“We also want to express our deep appreciation for our ongoing partnership with the city. We are working closely with local officials to coordinate efforts, particularly when battling the layers of ice that present the most significant difficulty for safe travel.”

Why it’s taking so long to clear Lexington roads, school properties

“While snow can often be cleared in a predictable timeframe, ice requires extra time, sunshine, increase in temperature, and specialized treatment. We are grateful for the city’s support and the patience of our families as we focus all our energy on meeting the operational needs of our schools at this time,” she said.

Gorton’s spokesperson Susan Straub said Monday the city helped the school district, “Because they’re having a hard time too and we try to work with them as partners. They requested our help.”

In a news release on Saturday, Gorton addressed Moloney’s criticism.

“One of our crews did respond to a request for help from Fayette County Schools, a community partner that is in need and is important to all of us. For their trouble, they earned a cheap, political online attack,” Gorton said in a statement.

Gorton also said Saturday the city will revise its snow plan to cover ice storms.

This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 1:47 PM.