Update, 5:48 p.m.: An email exchange released by Fayette County Public Schools late Wednesday involves the details between the two conflicting statements.
Early Tuesday morning, Superintendent Demetrus Liggins emailed Fayette Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy stating it was time to “step away from (his) role as Superintendent and pursue a separation agreement with the Board.”
Liggins said recent controversies surrounding the school district have taken “a personal and professional toll”.
“I have come to realize that remaining in this role under the current circumstances has become unsustainable for me personally and for my family. I also no longer believe it is the best path forward for the district,” the email reads.
In the email, Liggins requested to use personal and vacation leave through the end of the month. After that point, he would have exactly three years left on his contract.
As part of the agreement, he also requested one year of continued compensation and benefits through June 30, 2027.
Board Chair Tyler Murphy responded later that morning, stating he had received Liggins’ email, shared it with the rest of the board and had called for a special meeting to “address the resignation notice.”
In response, Liggins said his original email was not a resignation and was instead a request to discuss a possible separation agreement.
“They are separate and distinct matters,” the email reads. “Characterizing my email as a resignation notice is factually incorrect.”
He then stated he would withdraw his request to discuss a separation agreement and would continue his role as superintendent.
“I remain the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools and will continue to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of that position,” he said.
Liggins also requested tonight’s special Board of Education meeting, which was meant to discuss his resignation and the district’s interim leadership, be canceled.
Update, 1:56 p.m.: In a direct email to WEKU from an FCPS spokesperson, Liggins confirmed his statement to other outlets: "I have not resigned. I remain the Superintendent of Fayette County Public Schools. I have only requested that the Board engage in discussions regarding a potential separation agreement. At this time, no resignation has been submitted, accepted, or finalized."
Original story:
According to a release from Fayette County Public Schools, Superintendent Demetrus Liggins has submitted a resignation notice to the Board of Education.
However, according to reports from LEX 18 and the Lexington Herald-Leader, Liggins himself said he still remains superintendent, though he has requested “that the Board engage in discussions regarding a potential separation agreement.”
“At this time, no resignation has been submitted, accepted, or finalized,” according to the reports.
WEKU has reached out to Liggins directly to confirm.
Liggins has been FCPS superintendent since 2021. Over the past year, the school district has been dealing with a number of financial issues under his watch. Multiple audits of the district’s budget are ongoing after a $16 million shortfall was discovered last year. Since then, Liggins has faced widespread calls to resign from members of the public and multiple state lawmakers.
In February, an independent report by Ashland-based law firm VanAntwerp Attorneys found Liggins did not properly oversee the district’s finance and budget departments. It also found he did not keep the Board of Education fully informed of the district’s financial situation, though not intentionally.
In April, FCPS revealed budget misreporting dating back to at least 2008. The school district is cutting 120 district staff positions, using money from its contingency fund and taking out a $95 million loan to balance the budget.
The Fayette County Board of Education is holding a special-called meeting tonight at their headquarters building to address Liggins’ resignation and the district’s interim leadership at 7:30 p.m.
