Fayette County Board of Education to use eminent domain for RISE STEM Academy expansion

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — The Fayette County Board of Education is moving forward with plans to acquire more land for the RISE STEM Academy for Girls, saying it will use eminent domain to secure the property.

According to a statement from the district, the expansion does not impact any homes, but will affect portions of several backyards adjacent to the school. Officials say the move comes after months of what they describe as “good-faith negotiations” with the property owners.

“While eminent domain is a measure of last resort, it is sometimes necessary to meet the long-term needs of our students and community,” the district said.

The RISE STEM Academy for Girls opened in 2020 and serves grades K–8, focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math for underrepresented students.

As a reminder, the first day of school for Fayette County Public Schools is Wednesday, August 13.