Fayette County Public Schools back in session

Fayette County Public Schools kick off the new school year with focus on academic recovery and new policies

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The new school year is officially underway for Fayette County Public Schools and over 10 other districts. As FCPS gears up for a fresh academic season Superintendent Demetrus Liggins says he’s is ready to embark on his fourth year leading the district.

Liggins, who has overseen significant changes during his tenure, acknowledges the challenges ahead. Among these, the district is focused on addressing a learning gap exacerbated by the pandemic.

“We have to do more than a years worth of work each year, and students have to advance more than a full years worth of course work,” he said. “There’s still more work to do but academics is our core,” said Supt. Liggins.

This year brings new legislative changes, including house bills signed into law over the summer. One notable bill prohibits vaping at schools. In response, Fayette County is implementing enhanced monitoring measures to tackle this issue effectively.

“We are implementing throughout the district slowly beginning to phase in vaping detectors,” he said. “We’re starting in our middle schools and we’ll be implementing them on a phase in, and many of them are being placed in our restrooms,” said Supt. Liggins.

Community concerns have surfaced ahead of the school year. Notably, there is unease regarding the district’s spending. This concern centers on the cost of hiring educator Ron Clark as a keynote speaker for a back-to-school convocation, which ultimately did not happen.

“Convocation was canceled, it had nothing to do with Ron Clark, I just heard from many teachers that they  were more interested in being in their classrooms instead of having a day away at convocation,” he said. “It was going to be with partnership with our education foundation, and not district funds being even utilized for that.” “I still stand behind the decision to have such a renowned educator,” said Supt. Liggins.

Additionally, some community have concerns after Liggins’ decision not to uphold an appeal concerning the restructuring of Cassidy Elementary’s arts program. Liggins contends that misinformation is circulating about the summer decision.

“Unfortunately you know it’s been spread that fine arts are being cut in Fayette County Public Schools, which just couldn’t be further from the truth,” he said. “I don’t feel it’s my place to tell every single campus exactly what fine arts courses they should do.” “There’s fine arts at every single campus for students to take advantage of,” said Supt. Liggins.

The previous school year saw widespread shortages of teachers and bus drivers across many districts. This year, however, Fayette County reports a more stable staffing situation. Officials report bus driver positions are filled, and 99% of teaching positions are secured, bolstered by the hiring of approximately 700 new staff members.