The 13-page report, conducted following a whistleblower lawsuit filed by FCPS Budget Director Ann-Sampson Grimes, found that Liggins did not appropriately inform the board of the district's financial situation and did not exercise oversight of budgeting, expenses, and contingency fund balances.
The investigator did not find that Liggins "intentionally withheld Fund balance/Contingency information from the Board.”
Following a meeting with the board on Monday, Liggins released a statement that reads in part:
"As superintendent, the buck stops with me. It is my responsibility to ensure the fiscal health of the district and stewardship of the dollars our taxpayers invest in the education of our children. I take that obligation seriously, acknowledge that I previously fell short in aspects of budget and finance oversight, and commit to ensuring full alignment with board policy and the board governance manual moving forward.
I take full responsibility and recognize the obligation I owe to the members of the Fayette County Board of Education, and to our students, staff, families, and community."
Several board members also released statements, including Amanda Ferguson, who said:
"The superintendent’s policy violations outlined in this report are extremely concerning and have clearly contributed to the challenges I experienced in my board service over the last several years. The board will need to address how these infractions might affect the superintendent’s employment with the district."
FULL STATEMENTS released by Miranda Scully, executive director of Public Engagement and district spokeswoman:
From Board Chair (on behalf of Board), following Feb. 9 closed session.
“The Board has received the findings of the investigation into allegations directed against Superintendent Liggins. We’d like to thank Leigh Latherow for conducting this thorough investigation.
We recognize the FCPS community’s interest in this matter. Given the seriousness of the matter and the importance of ensuring a fair and thorough process, the Board will carefully consider the investigation findings and anticipates making a determination on appropriate corrective measures in the coming weeks.
We are committed to making FCPS a community where all students can succeed. Meeting this goal is not just about what happens in the classroom but how the resources entrusted to the school district are managed.”
Superintendent Liggins shared the following statement with FCPS staff today (February 9, 2026).
“Dear Team FCPS:
When we fall short, true leaders accept responsibility, take ownership of the challenge, and choose action over deflection. Today is one of those days.
After the budget and finance issues our district faced this summer, the Fayette County Board of Education voted to have an independent investigator look into allegations regarding my handling of budget and finance matters. I welcomed the investigation and now am letting you know that the report was released this afternoon. I have attached it to this email so that you can read it yourself.
In short, the report confirms what I have shared with our community on multiple occasions. As superintendent, I relied too heavily on the leaders and teams working in the area of budget and finance every day when I should have been asking sharper questions and demanding more comprehensive detail.
As superintendent, the buck stops with me. It is my responsibility to ensure the fiscal health of the district and stewardship of the dollars our taxpayers invest in the education of our children. The obligations I owe to the members of the Fayette County Board of Education, and to our students, staff, families, and community are spelled out in board policy, and I regret that I was not more hands-on in the day-to-day operations of budget and finance.
Although most of the allegations were not substantiated, and the report acknowledges that I did not intentionally break board policy, I take full responsibility and commit to ensuring full alignment with board policy and the board governance manual moving forward.
In July, I combined the budget and finance departments, which had operated separately for over a decade. In August, I assumed direct oversight of the finance and budget departments. Today, I am actively involved on a daily basis in our district’s finances and budgeting operations. Over the past six months, I have sought to identify areas of weakness and taken decisive action to strengthen internal communication, oversight, and reporting. Additional structural changes are forthcoming to further reinforce openness and accountability.
There are more reviews currently underway to examine our budget and finance structures in greater depth, and I will continue to share information as those reviews are completed. More important than anything I can say are the actions I have taken. I recognize that confidence has been shaken for some in our community and I continue to take concrete steps to address those concerns.
FCPS is currently operating under a balanced budget with a $27 million contingency fund, well above state requirements. Our recent annual audit confirmed that we have sound financial practices and fiscal integrity. We have improved our analysis, forecasting, and public reporting methods, and invited community members with financial expertise to take an expanded role in advising and scrutinizing district finances.
I remain confident in the direction we are headed and I am fully committed to continuous improvement on behalf of our students, staff, and families.”
Media Statement from Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins
“This report confirms what I have shared with our community on multiple occasions. As superintendent, I relied too heavily on the leaders and team working in the area of budget and finance every day when I should have been asking sharper questions and demanding more comprehensive detail.
As superintendent, the buck stops with me. It is my responsibility to ensure the fiscal health of the district and stewardship of the dollars our taxpayers invest in the education of our children. I take that obligation seriously, acknowledge that I previously fell short in aspects of budget and finance oversight, and commit to ensuring full alignment with board policy and the board governance manual moving forward.
I take full responsibility and recognize the obligation I owe to the members of the Fayette County Board of Education, and to our students, staff, families, and community. My leadership had been intentionally centered on student outcomes, academic growth and the overall health of our school system. While those priorities guided my focus, I regret that I was not more hands-on in the day-to-day operations of budget and finance.
I believe strongly in leading with both accountability and humility. When we identify areas where we must improve, we do not deflect, we act. Our community deserves clarity, accuracy, and a superintendent who is willing to own challenges and take decisive action to move forward.
As such, in August, I assumed direct oversight of the finance and budget departments and have been actively involved on a daily basis. Over the past six months, I have sought to identify exactly what went wrong and taken decisive action to ensure it never happens again. Already I have implemented multiple changes where needed to strengthen internal communication, oversight, and reporting. Additional structural changes are forthcoming that will further reinforce openness and accountability.
I welcome the results of the additional reviews currently underway which will examine our budget and finance structures in greater depth, and I look forward to sharing more specific information as those reviews are completed. More important than any statement I can make are the actions I have taken. I recognize that confidence has been shaken for some in our community and I continue to take concrete steps to address those concerns.
FCPS is currently operating under a balanced budget with a $27 million contingency fund, well above state requirements. Our recent annual audit confirmed that we have sound financial practices and fiscal integrity. We have improved our analysis, forecasting, and public reporting methods, and invited community members with financial expertise to take an expanded role in advising and scrutinizing district finances.
I remain confident in the direction we are headed and fully committed to continuous improvement on behalf of our students, staff, and families.”
