Supt. Liggins: Budget process will be guided by excellence, transparency, fiscal responsibility | Opinion

As we begin developing the 2025-2026 budget for Fayette County Public Schools, I remain committed to key non-negotiables that prioritize the success and safety of our students and staff. In the face of historic inflation, uncertainty regarding federal funding, and rising personnel costs, our approach will be guided by a steadfast commitment to excellence, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. These principles will shape the decisions we make as my team, and I prepare to bring recommendations to the Board of Education.

Prioritizing Our Most Essential Asset: Teachers

At the heart of FCPS is the belief that the teacher in the classroom is the most critical ingredient for student success. We recognize that when our students have high-quality, well-supported teachers, they thrive academically and personally. As such, one of my primary goals in this budget cycle is to continue prioritizing the recruitment and retention of the best teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The commitment to making FCPS teacher pay among the most competitive in the state ensures that we not only attract top talent but also provide our current educators with the support and compensation they deserve.

Ensuring the Safety of Our Schools

The safety of our students and staff is always the top priority of all stakeholders. As I make recommendations to the board, my proposals will include the allocation of necessary resources to ensure that school safety remains non-negotiable. This includes funding for security measures, technology upgrades, and training to create safe, welcoming environments where students can focus on learning and growing. The well-being of our school community remains central to our budget planning.

Aligning Central Staffing to Campus Needs

As superintendent, I recognize that the needs of our campuses must be supported by appropriate staffing at the district level. A critical focus of my recommendations for this budget will begin with aligning our staffing at the district level to ensure that positions are allocated in a way that best serves both our campuses and the broader needs of the district. By aligning staffing with the needs of our schools, we can better support our educators and ensure that our resources are being used most effectively to benefit our students.

Fostering Transparency and Community Participation

The FCPS budget must continue to be a reflection of our community’s commitment to student success and fiscal responsibility. As part of that commitment, we will provide a transparent budget process that allows district stakeholders — parents, teachers, staff, and community members — to provide feedback and participate in discussions about funding priorities. We believe that community input is essential to making informed decisions that reflect the values and needs of our students and families.

Maximizing Capacity and Effciency

In the development of the 2025-2026 budget, I will advise the board on maximizing school capacity and ensuring that every dollar is used efficiently. This includes reviewing operations at the school and district levels to identify areas where we can streamline processes, optimize staffing, and reduce costs. By focusing on efficiency in our facilities, programs, and staffing, we will ensure that resources are directed where they are needed most—to support our students and their educational experience.

Budget Workshop #1: A Collaborative Approach

The work on the 2025-2026 tentative budget will begin in earnest at the Fayette County Board of Education Budget Workshop, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. This public meeting of the board will take place in the boardroom on the first floor of the John Price Administration Building. During the session, board members will review the 2024-2025 budget, evaluate current initiatives, and begin discussing future needs and priorities.

As we move forward with the development of the 2025-2026 budget, we remain committed to our core principles of prioritizing teachers, ensuring safety, and using resources responsibly. We believe that through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and transparency, we can continue to build a budget that supports the success and well-being of every student in Fayette County. Together, we will create a brighter future for our schools and community.

Dr. Demetrius Liggins, Ph.D. is Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools.