Dr. Demetrus Liggins begins a new chapter in his professional life this week in Lexington. The Fayette County Schools Superintendent got a lot of reporter questions about coronavirus to begin his first day on the job.
One of the first items on Dr. Liggins to-do list was to get face-to-face with students. “I’m real excited about meeting some kids and getting on campus and making absolutely sure that I’m where the work is happening,” said Liggins.
Demetrus Liggins comes to Fayette County after heading Greenville Independent Schools near Dallas. While COVID-19 decisions, whether about masking or not or how to educate quarantined students, still are pending, Liggins makes clear his top priority. “My main goal is to make sure that we can continue to have in-person school. I think our students suffered tremendously last year with their learning because of the at-home learning,” explained Liggins.
The new superintendent said teachers and staff suffered in their practices because they were learning as they went along. Admitting decisions still need to be made about COVID-19 and the education process, Liggins doesn’t see mandatory student vaccination anytime soon. “I could not envision that, but again I’m an educator, I’m not a health professional and I can’t envision that happening at this time,” noted Liggins.
Making mention of the measles vaccine, Liggins said one day requiring a coronavirus vaccine could happen.
Liggins replaced Manny Caulk who died suddenly the end of 2020. He said it’s important to realize the need for mourning and grieving as a school family over the loss of Caulk and all those who have died from coronavirus.
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