LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Fayette County Board of Education unanimously accepted Superintendent Demetrus Liggins' retirement on Aug. 17 and formally affirmed Bill Bradford as interim superintendent, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the district's leadership amid significant financial turmoil.

Bradford, who has more than two decades of education experience and was named assistant superintendent in July 2024, assumed the role after Liggins was placed on paid administrative leave in June. The board's decision came three days after Liggins announced his retirement in a statement that cited a Moody's credit rating downgrade as "the last straw," citing what he characterized as decades of financial irregularities at the district.

The transition marks a dramatic shift for Kentucky's second-largest school district, which has faced mounting fiscal challenges including a reported $17.8 million budget shortfall, $20 million in operational cuts, and the elimination of 120 staff positions. An investigation by the law firm VanAntwerp found earlier this year that Liggins violated board policy by failing to notify the board of budget issues and provide proper oversight.

"As we begin this new school year, the board remains focused on what matters most: supporting students, strengthening schools, and moving forward with care and purpose," Board Chair Tyler Murphy said in a statement following the vote.

Bradford said his immediate priorities include providing stability and addressing the district's financial challenges. A superintendent screening committee will be formed within 30 days to guide the search for permanent leadership, with community members and district staff participating in the selection process.

Liggins, the 2026 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year, alleged in his retirement statement that he filed a whistleblower complaint with the Kentucky Office of Educational Accountability regarding what he described as "fraud, waste, and abuse." He had proposed a $1.6 million separation agreement before ultimately retiring without severance.