Fayette County superintendent addresses $16 million budget shortfall before lawmakers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins testified before state lawmakers Tuesday, acknowledging mistakes in handling the district’s budget and outlining efforts to regain community trust after a $16 million shortfall.
Speaking under oath before a legislative committee, Liggins said he accepts responsibility for the district’s financial missteps.
“Much of the criticism surrounding Fayette County Public Schools’ budgeting process has indeed been warranted,” Liggins told lawmakers. “I know that the trust has been shaken by our community, and as superintendent, I take that very seriously. The buck stops with me, and I accept that.”
Liggins said the shortfall, first reported earlier this year, stemmed from rising costs and inadequate scrutiny of financial details. He told legislators he regrets not pressing harder for answers when the shortfall first surfaced.
“I should have asked sharper questions. I should have demanded more comprehensive detail to ensure that I had a full understanding,” Liggins said.
The superintendent explained that the district has been balancing staff shortages, post-pandemic challenges, and inflation pressures while also increasing investments in salaries, preschool expansion, and classroom resources in recent years.
Despite the financial turmoil, Liggins emphasized that Fayette County students are showing progress. He pointed to state accountability data and national studies indicating the district is recovering from pandemic learning loss faster than peers nationwide.
Looking ahead, Liggins said the school board is scheduled to vote on a new working budget next week. He said the plan balances revenue and expenses without raising taxes or cutting classroom support.
“I want this to be very clear: my goal is to understand exactly what has gone wrong, determine how long it’s been occurring, and take decisive action to ensure that we never find ourselves here again,” Liggins said.
He added that both internal and external investigations are underway, and he has pledged to publicly share their findings.
“We will come out of this stronger and with tighter systems, and certainly with renewed trust,” Liggins said.
