"Motion carries 5-0"
The vote to permit Liggins to retire came with little fanfare, despite more than a year of tumultuous tug-of-war over a series of budget-related flashpoints that began in May 2025.
But leading up to the decision, the board heard from a number of incensed public speakers, several of whom called for board chair Tyler Murphy, vice chair Amy Green, and board member Penny Christian to resign and leave any decision about a new superintendent to their successors.
"The last time I stood here, I presented the case against Dr. Liggins. He is gone. But removing the superintendent didn't close this case because the financial crisis is still here," one speaker said.
"We've got people whose lives have been impacted significantly. Jobs cut, lots of jobs cut. But Liggins just gets to walk away," public school advocate Matthew Vied added.
Our focus right now is working with the interim superintendent to move Fayette County forward, and) take the steps that we need to take to restore public trust and confidence in our district.Tyler Murphy, FCPS Board Chair
Murphy told reporters the board's focus now is on moving forward with new leadership in place, as the board agreed to extend Dr. Bill Bradford's contract and transition him from acting to interim superintendent with no change in pay.
"I know that this has been a difficult time, a difficult past few months for our community, for our district. And we've been focusing again on working in partnership with Dr. Bradford, ensuring that we're prepared to start the school year. And I think on Wednesday, we saw that," he said.
Demetrus Liggins served in the top position since June 2021. He was placed on paid administrative leave in June of this year and has since fought the decision and recently laid the blame for the district's budget woes at the feet of the board.
He delivered notice of his retirement on Friday.
Next Steps
While Liggins is officially out at as superintendent, more information about his actions — including allegations that he slipped a manufactured legal threat under the door of a state lawmaker — has yet to be released. In the meantime, Murphy says a report will be made public soon and will "speak for itself." He also noted that the board's acceptance of Liggins' retirement did not include any kind of settlement.
There's a certain stain on the talent in this building because of the proximity to Liggins.Matthew Vied, board critic
Murphy said, with Dr. Bill Bradford moving from acting to interim superintendent, the board now has more stability.
"Our focus right now is working with the interim superintendent to move Fayette County forward, (taking) the steps that we need to take to restore public trust and confidence in our district," the board leader said.
Restoring that trust will be an uphill climb for the district's harshest critics.
"There's a certain stain on the talent in this building because of the proximity to Liggins, and to that decision-making process," Vied told WUKY. "I'm not saying no one in this building is qualified for the job. I'm sure that there are... but the community needs to have a big piece of that process."
Now that a vacancy has been declared at the top, a superintendent search committee will need to be seated within 30 days.