Fayette Schools are making progress on accountability, financial stability | Opinion

Editor’s note: This OpEd has been updated to reflect the following correction: “The achievements of no schools requiring Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI) and no schools being marked for low achievement among African American, Hispanic or economically disadvantaged student populations occurred in 2024. In 2025, Russell Cave Elementary was marked as a CSI school.

The Black Faith Leaders of Lexington and Vicinity (BFLLV) and Commerce Lexington came together last fall with a singular determination – to work together with Fayette County Public School Superintendent Demetrus Liggins to ensure financial stability and increase community confidence while maintaining the historic academic progress of all students.

BFLLV and Commerce Lexington expressed concerns about the issues surrounding the proposed occupational license tax increase and budgetary problems along with the resolve that these problems can and should be solved here in Fayette County.

This collaboration among the three organizations is nothing new. It began more than 20 years ago with the first nickel tax, which has helped bond more than $649 million in school construction; as well as the school safety tax, which provided 84 mental health specialists, more than doubled the number of nurses and police officers in schools, and secured every school vestibule. But it is rare. There aren’t many other cities in the country that have such a strong relationship among various segments of the community.

Through months of meetings, asking the hard questions, offering guidance and providing resources, we believe that the district is in a much better position than it was last year. There is more work to do, but we are headed in the right direction through intentional decision-making and collaborations:

• $12.5 million in cost savings from Central Office have been identified;
• The current budget is balanced without a tax increase;
• The contingency fund is almost double the state requirement;
• There is more accountability with the budget and finance departments, which have been moved directly under the superintendent;
• The highly respected Kyna Koch, who has decades of experience as a finance commissioner for local government as well as previously working with the district, has been named interim CFO;
• The former Southside Technical Center is for sale;
• Budget processes, such as improved tracking and real-time numbers instead of estimates, have been implemented;
• Procurement efficiencies and other cost-saving efforts are under way through a collaboration with the University of Kentucky.

Outside experts are being utilized to right size the district’s programs and facilities as well as searching for additional ways to ensure financial stability and stewardship.

The work to achieve financial stability and restore public confidence in our local school system is not finished, but the steps listed above are a commendable start.

Furthermore, we deeply value the fact that, for the first time, no schools were identified as requiring Comprehensive School Improvement (CSI), and no schools have been marked for low achievement among African American, Hispanic or economically disadvantaged student populations by Kentucky’s school accountability system in 2024. Therefore, we remain committed to working with Superintendent Liggins and other stakeholders to ensure that Fayette County Public Schools has the support and resources it needs to be successful in every way.

The community demands it. The work force needs it. And most importantly, the students deserve it.

The authors representing their respective organizations are Dr. C.B. Akins, Rev. Richard Gaines, P. G. Peeples, Roy Woods, Rev. LeTicia Preacely and Rev. Clark Williams, members of the Black Faith Leaders of Lexington and Vicinity; Commerce Lexington President & CEO Bob Quick, Board Chair Nick Nicholson, and past board chairs Luther Deaton, Bill Lear, Ray Daniels and Carla Blanton.

This story was originally published April 1, 2026 at 10:12 AM.