Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins appealed his Open Meetings Act complaint to Attorney General Russell Coleman Tuesday.
The move comes after Liggins filed an Open Meetings Act violation complaint against the Fayette County Board of Education concerning a special-called meeting in early June. The meeting was largely held in closed session and the school board ultimately placed Liggins on paid administrative leave. Bill Bradford was named acting superintendent.
The board denies violating the Open Meetings Act and refused to reinstate Liggins. After the board failed to meet that demand, Liggins filed a whistleblower complaint to the Kentucky Office of Education Accountability last week.
Liggins’ appeal to Coleman asks for the school board’s denial and the actions from the June 10 meeting be reversed, according to a press release from Liggins’ attorney.
The ongoing rift between Liggins and the school board follows the discovery of a $16 million budget shortfall last year and subsequent reveal of nearly two decades of financial mismanagement. To balance the budget, the district used its contingency fund and more than 100 employees were laid off. For next year’s budget, the district will take out a $95 million loan.
This is a developing report.
