Today marks the first day on the job for Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins. He didn’t give an exact date on when COVID-19 protocols such as wearing masks or continued learning for quarantined students will be announced, but he did say it will be his first major decision. While the situation is fluid, Liggins does envisions kids in the classrooms.
“My main goal is to make sure that we continue to have in-person school,” Liggins said “I think our students suffered tremendously last year with their learning because of at-home learning. I think our teachers and staff really suffered in their instructional practices because they were learning as they went along. I just want to make sure that this year we can put systems into place to make sure students continue to be in-person.”
Liggins's previous leadership role was with Greenville Independent Schools in Texas where he chose to begin the 2020-21 school year in person while still offering virtual options. Liggins will be meeting with school board members tonight and with the COVID core team tomorrow. He also plans to work alongside health officials and promises transparency and clear communication with families and staff.
Liggins said he was drawn to the Fayette County Superintendent position because of the different programs offered to students, some of the initiatives in technical education for high schoolers and what he sees as strong community support.
“It seemed like a place where I can really come in and have an impact and continue some of the great work,” Liggins said he had also heard amazing things about former Superintendent Manny Caulk who passed away last December. “I really wanted to make sure that I could continue some on some of the legacies that he had left.”
The first day of school in Fayette County is Wednesday, August 11th.