Probe found Fayette schools chief kept board uninformed as district overspent $110M
Between fiscal 2023 and 2026, Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington spent $110 million more than it took in, WKYT reported. An independent investigation by Leigh Latherow found Superintendent Demetrus Liggins failed to appropriately inform the board about the district's finances but called the failure unintentional, and on March 4, 2026 the Fayette County Board of Education took no action. A separate Weaver and Tidwell audit found concentrated financial power, self-approved budget changes and unaccounted purchase-card spending. The board put Liggins on paid administrative leave on June 10 without giving a public reason; the district then laid off 120 employees and needed a $95 million loan. On Aug. 17 the board accepted his retirement; he left making $393,000 in total compensation. The State Auditor's special examination has not been released.
Between fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2026, the district overspent its revenue by $110 million.
found he failed to appropriately inform the board about the district's finances
"They're doing a forensic audit, which is a deep look into the books, and we're all interested in seeing that," the mayor said.
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No outcome recorded yet.