The Fayette County Board of Education will not reinstate Superintendent Demetrus Liggins despite a demand from his attorneys last week.
The school board made the decision in closed session Monday, and attorneys confirmed that decision Wednesday night. As such, Liggins will remain on administrative leave pending a review of his conduct.
Last week, lawyers for Liggins filed an open meetings complaint, stating a June special-called board meeting in which the superintendent was placed on paid leave violated the state law and demanded he be reinstated. During that meeting, Assistant Superintendent Bill Bradford was appointed interim. The action was in response to a request from Liggins to negotiate a separation agreement, which the board announced as a resignation request, though Liggins disputed that claim.
Fayette County Public Schools has been reeling since a string of financial woes and missteps were made public last year. A $16 million budget shortfall was discovered during the 2024-25 school year and led to investigations finding Liggins did not properly manage district funds and the discovery of nearly two decades of financial mismanagement.
The district is using its contingency fund to balance this year’s budget and has laid off more than 100 staff members. For next year’s budget, the district is taking out a $95 million dollar loan.
