Fayette County Board of Education

August 29, 2022

As part of our commitment to providing timely, clear, and accurate information to students, staff, families, and community members, we are pleased to provide a recap of our monthly school board meetings.  

WELCOME and SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES

Board Chairman Tyler Murphy welcomed members of the public attending the meeting at the John D. Price Administration Building, located at 450 Park Place, as well as those watching the board meeting online.

Before calling on Board Member Christy Morris to lead the moment of silence, pledge of allegiance, and reading of the district mission statement, Murphy and asked everyone in our community to pause to acknowledge the tragic death of Abigail Herrin, who was a rising seventh grader at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School. Our hearts remain with her family, the Edythe J. Hayes Middle School community, and all those touched by her passing.

LOCAL REVENUE OPTIONS

Board members heard a presentation from Compass Municipal Advisors, LLC, – the financial advisor for the Fayette County Board of Education – about two possible revenue options for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Every year, school boards in Kentucky are required to set local property tax rates that generate revenue to fund their public schools. This is a routine matter that happens each August, and the choice board members face is based on the total value of property in their county.

For the 2021-22 fiscal year, homeowners in Fayette County paid property taxes of 80.8 cents per $100 of assessed value. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, Compass outlined two choices for the board:

• Option #1: The property rate would go from 80.8 cents to 78.5 cents per $100 of assessed value to provide a 4 percent increase in the local revenue for general operations of the district.
• Option #2: The property rate would go from 80.8 cents to 83.3 cents per $100 of assessed value to provide a 4 percent increase in the local revenue for general operations of the district and create a dedicated funding stream for facility needs.

Under Option #1 the board would have $188.5 million available for renovation and construction right now, and $48.5 million over the next five years. That is enough to complete about three projects, but the board could not finance any other building needs until 2037.

Under Option #2 the board would have $540 million available for renovation and construction right now. That is enough to complete about 12 projects immediately and provide continuous facility financing through 2037 and beyond.

No decision has been made.

A public hearing, where members of the community can comment on the two options will take place at 6 p.m. on September 8, 2022, at the John D. Price Administration Building. The board will vote at the end of the public hearing.

Those wishing to share input with members of the Fayette County Board of Education before the public hearing can reach all five by emailing feedback@fayette.kyschools.us.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

Under the Superintendent's Report, Superintendent Demetrus Liggins asked Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Meocha Williams to update the board on the successful opening of the 2022-23 school year.

Williams shared a video highlighting the first days of the school year and reviewed the framework of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student support initiatives that will be implemented over the next three years. 

During the 2022-23 school year, leaders will focus on developing essential standards and resources to support instructional classroom strategies. In this phased approach, FCPS classrooms will implement evidenced-based, culturally-responsive practices that prioritize focused instruction, high levels of student engagement, and consistent monitoring of student progress.

Williams emphasized that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), and strong communication are the cornerstones of this work. Teacher clarity and leadership development will ensure that educators have the resources and skills to grow professionally and ensure an authentic learning experience for all students. 

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

Chief Operating Officer Myron Thompson shared the August construction highlights. He noted that students, staff, and families are enjoying the innovative new Tates Creek High School building.

Work is continuing on the exterior of the building on the Tates Creek campus. The project is 96% complete and the remaining work does not interfere with instruction or the daily use of the building.

PUBLIC COMMENT

During the portion of the meeting for remarks by citizens, the following individuals shared comments with the Board related to the Rise STEM Academy for Girls facility:

• Selvi Jeyaraj
• Monica Mundy
• Kristin Downs
• Ashley Grupka

BOARD ACTION

The board voted to:

• Authorize a second amendment to the contract to acquire 2160 Versailles Road in order to provide additional easements to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for roadway improvements.
• Renew GEER II Grants to provide grief support for students, families, and staff at Meadowthorpe Elementary, Beaumont Middle, Bryan Station Middle, Leestown Middle, Bryan Station High, and Paul Laurence Dunbar High.
• Create a police department operated by the school district rather than being under the authority of the justice cabinet, as provided for under House Bill 63/School Safety and Resiliency Act.
• Appoint Dr. Tiffany Daniels to the Bluegrass Community Foundation Advisory Committee.
• Grant 5 days of temporary COVID-19 leave to employees. Additional information will be shared with employees when details are confirmed.
• Accept the Unaudited Year End Financial Report and the Monthly Financial Report.
• Approve contracts with:
• FourPoint Education Partners to conduct a review of the FCPS district human resources department.
• Evergreen Solutions to conduct a study of compensation for salaried employees.
• ELLevation for a platform the district uses to capture data related to services for English language learners.
• Central Kentucky Riding for Hope to continue to provide a location for The Stables.
• Millennium Learning Concepts to provide 10 days of student workshops for scholars at Carter G. Woodson Academy.
• Update policies 03.162, 03.262, 09.42811 in order to remove the name of a specific staff member and instead use job title.

The official minutes from the August 29, 2022 action meeting will be posted within the agenda of the next meeting of the Fayette County Board of Education.