Fayette County Public Schools has weathered a storm ever since news first broke about a $16 million shortfall in May 2025. The months since have seen a series of financial crises and setbacks as public anger with former superintendent Demetus Liggins spilled over into a board dispute with the school leader and a shake-up at the top.
Now the board is hoping the ship is entering calmer waters.
"We've navigated this and now we're ready to move forward, united with Dr. Bradford as interim superintendent, again, keeping that focus on our students and our staff," he told reporters following the unanimous decision to accept Liggins' retirement.
Board member Monica Mundy agrees that the district needs to regain its focus on its mission. But she also told WKYT the public is owed more when it comes to explanations about the conflict with Liggins, including the full report that found he knowingly planted fabricated legal threats under the door of a state lawmaker — allegations he disputes.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reports Mundy also called for the district to "roll out the facts" about what landed FCPS on the financial roller-coaster, which led to cuts, layoffs, and a $95 million loan to help meet payroll.
It's a demand public speakers at the board's last action meeting made plain.
"Everyone I know is outraged by what you have allowed and even what appears to have been purposely kept from us," one speaker said at the board's most recent action meeting.
The school system has released a 10-page report on the investigation into Liggins.
Meanwhile, the district has gradually recalculated its finances, reaching back through 2025, as it begins the search for a new permanent superintendent. The board is also expecting a corrective action plan to be presented on September 10, guided by more than 70 recommendations in an audit by Weaver Tidwell.
"Much of that work is already underway," Murphy said. "And we'll continue to focus on that."