FCPS Board of Education denies appeal to save part of art program at Cassidy Elementary
LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Fayette County Public Schools hosted a public forum and a special called meeting on Monday night.
Officials heard from parents and others in the community about their thoughts on the restructuring of the arts program at Cassidy Elementary in Lexington.
“I also wanted to really correct the narrative that we’re cutting positions, because that’s just not the case,” says FCPS Superintendent Demetrius Liggins on the misconception.
Those in attendance, telling officials just how important the arts program is.
“Instead of forcing school-based decision making councils into a corner to make difficult decisions, there needs to be a more holistic discussion with each building the needs of the building, and the allocations that are given to every school,” says Lucy Waterbury, a former SBDM council member at Morton Middle.
Many adding that more opportunities and choices for students, will lead to greater academic success.
Meantime, Superintendent Liggins adding that, “math, reading science, social studies, those things are certainly prioritized, and we want to make sure that arts is prioritized in one form or another, we simply cannot put every single arts class in every single school, just due to the fact that it doesn’t fit in a schedule, it’s simple mathematics.”
After the public forum, the board staying for their special-called meeting, where we heard questions from the members but ultimately, “motion is to affirm the Cassidy Elementary SBDM decision as their if there’s no further discussion, all in favor, please say, aye!”
“I did not uphold the appeal when it came to my level, because I believe in the authority given to the SBDM,” said Dr. Liggins on not interfering with the decision of the council.
Many parents expressing their disappointment with the decision.
“We think, if it happens in Cassidy, one of the best funded Blue Ribbon Schools in the district, it’s going to happen everywhere,” added Revell Carr, a parent of a first-grader at Cassidy Elementary.
