State rep criticizes FCPS for administrator pay ‘additives’

LEXINGTON, Ky.–Republican State Rep. Matt Lockett, who represents Nicholasville and a portion of southern Fayette County, has criticized the Fayette County Board of Education for allocating significant additional funds to administrators, a move he says diverts resources meant for teachers.

“This move by Fayette County Public Schools is extremely frustrating and disappointing. We’ve provided a record amount of funding for public education, even after adjusting for inflation, with the specific intent of boosting pay for the women and men who work on the frontlines of our public education system,” Lockett said in a news release. His statement came after the board approved “additives,” ranging from $8,000 to $81,000, for system administrators.

However, Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) officials responded on Wednesday, stating that Lockett’s claims were not factually accurate. “The public statement made by Representative Matt Lockett claiming FCPS administrators are receiving large pay raises or bonuses is not factually accurate,” district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith told the Herald-Leader.

Agenda documents for the Board’s June 24 regular meeting revealed that these additives range between $2,000 and $81,000, with the deputy superintendent receiving the highest amount. The superintendent’s additive is “negotiated.”

“These individuals rarely, if ever, find themselves in a classroom engaging with the very children the system exists to serve. Why should they receive more than a teacher, cafeteria worker, or bus driver?” Lockett questioned.

Lockett highlighted that earlier this year, the Kentucky General Assembly approved a state budget increasing per-pupil funding, fully funding transportation, and allocating additional funding for pension contributions. Lockett told the Herald-Leader he wants “to see resources reach the classroom level where we know they’ll have the greatest impact on our children.”

Davidson-Smith emphasized that all educators, including those in leadership roles, are paid based on a base teacher salary, adjusted for experience and responsibility levels. The “additive” reflects the difference between what they would make as teachers and their additional responsibilities. This practice is comparable to compensation structures in the corporate world.

“These levels have remained unchanged from last year, so referring to these as ‘bonuses’ or suggesting they are new is simply untrue and is unfortunately causing public confusion,” Davidson-Smith told the Herald-Leader. She also noted that FCPS offers the highest starting teacher salary in Kentucky at over $50,000, compared to the state average of $37,500.

Addressing concerns about program cuts, Davidson-Smith told the Herald-Leader that FCPS continues to expand offerings for students. She noted that school councils, not the district, decide on staffing allocations based on student enrollment projections.

The Fayette County Public Schools board approved a tentative $801.8 million budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with the working budget expected to be finalized in September.