FCPS spent $100K to send administrators, board members up for re-election to conference

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) sent 35 administrators to the Council of the Great City Schools’ fall conference in Dallas, Texas, held last week from October 15-20, at an approximate cost of $100,375, according to documents obtained by The Lexington Times under the Kentucky Open Records Act. The delegation included Superintendent Demetrus Liggins, several top administrators, and school board members Tyler Murphy, Amy Green, and Marilyn Clark. While the district justified the expense as an investment in professional development, the spending comes at a time of financial strain and heightened scrutiny over significant expenditures.

The conference aimed to “build capacity in urban education with programs, boost academic performance, narrow achievement gaps, improve professional development, and strengthen leadership, governance, and management,” according to documents provided by the district. FCPS administrators also had the opportunity to learn best practices from other large urban school districts, particularly in areas like financial, benefits, and payroll management.

With a price tag that covered registration fees, lodging, meals, and transportation for all attendees, some may question whether sending such a large contingent was necessary, especially when budgetary pressures in the district have threatened programs such as arts and music. Critics may suggest that the funds could have been reallocated to preserve staff positions or enhance student programs.

The inclusion of board members Green and Clark—both up for re-election in November 2024—has also drawn attention, though their attendance is consistent with the district’s stated goal of strengthening governance and leadership. Green and Clark, along with board chair Tyler Murphy, have been seen as consistent political allies, and their participation in the conference raises questions about the makeup of the group.

An FCPS employee who responded to The Lexington Times’ open records request stated that the district was “not in possession of” any written record discussing the “expected return on investment or educational value of [the] conference attendance for Fayette County Public Schools.”

A representative from the educators’ union KY120 United did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.