Board Buzz

We provide this recap of our monthly school board action meetings as part of our commitment to providing timely, clear, and accurate information to students, staff, families, and the community.

You may also review the full agenda.

Superintendent's Evaluation:

The school board voted 5-0 to adopt the annual evaluation for Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, acknowledging his accomplishments, successes, and progress over the past year. "We appreciate the fact that change does not happen overnight and requires intentional actions. We firmly believe that Dr. Liggins embraces these challenges daily, with passion and commitment," board Chair Tyler Murphy said in a statement. "While we all agree there is still much work to do, we continue to be encouraged that the positive work that has already started will continue for the betterment of our community and the children and families we serve."

• View the Superintendent's 2022-23 Evaluation
• View the Board Chairman's Full Statement

Legislative Priorities:

The school board unanimously approved its legislative priorities for the Kentucky General Assembly's 2024 session, as outlined by district lobbyist Abby Piper of Piper Smith. Since Fayette County Public Schools functions within the legal framework established in Frankfort, the state legislature's actions have a significant impact on our district’s ability to carry out its work. The state priorities address education funding, school choice, student supports, and the backing of teachers and staff in the education field. Priorities on the federal level include more funding for career and technical education and for designated groups such as students with special needs and English learners. "We appreciate your advocacy and work for us," board Chairman Tyler Murphy said in thanking Piper and her team.

• View the 2024 Legislative Priorities

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins welcomed Jesse Mettille, director of Professional Learning, to share highlights of recent staff development sessions for school administrators. Dedeeh Newbern, our chief of Student Support Services, also talked about this summer's Student Support Professionals Institute. "Professional learning should be engaging, enjoyable, and relevant to each person's work," Mettille said. "Overall, this is about learning -- not information dissemination."

Meocha Williams, assistant superintendent of Academic Services, spoke about upcoming opportunities including this week's state conference of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA). Then in early August, FCPS will host districtwide PD sessions in the schools and at the Central Bank Center.

• View the Professional Learning Presentation

Myron Thompson, the district's chief operating officer, presented the latest updates on two building projects: construction of the middle school in the Hamburg area and renovation of the former Herald-Leader building on Midland Avenue for a new Career & Technical Education (CTE) center.

• View the Monthly Construction Report

Among other action items on the agenda, the school board approved the new Information Security and Privacy Program policy after second reading. It sets up 22 security controls that safeguard sensitive data ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets.

Among the consent items approved Monday night:

• An addendum to the contract with the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department for an additional 7.5 nurse positions to increase coverage in all our traditional schools to full time.
• Contract renewals for platforms that support our district's assessment (testing) system, such as MAP, or Measures of Academic Progress.

Citizen Heather Cherry addressed the board's legislative priorities, which was an agenda action item. She later spoke about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging programs, which was not on the agenda.

Also off the agenda, the following citizens and students shared their thoughts about district facilities: Henry Walter, Beth Randolph, Trey Moore, Wells Moore, Julia Weitkamp, Abby Clay, Sandra Chambers Reed, Lydia Dever, Sarah Schmidt, Sara Francis, John Francis, Grace Hellard, Brett Evans, and Melody El-Amin.

The official minutes from the July 24 action meeting will be posted within the agenda of the next meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education.

The school board's action meetings are livestreamed on the FCPS YouTube channel and the district's Video on Demand service. Meetings are then archived in our YouTube playlist.

• Watch the July 24 video (Note: The board's summer meetings are virtual.)

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