LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Fayette County Board of Education held a planning work session on March 9 to preview the agenda for its action meeting later that month, focusing on construction project updates, employee survey findings, and financial concerns raised during public comment.

The board approved a change order for the Rise Academy construction project, which is consolidating the Rise STEM Academy for Girls with the George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys in a shared facility. The change order addressed the cost of installing urinals in the building to meet state building codes, following an unsuccessful waiver request. District officials said they negotiated with the state and construction partners to reduce costs significantly from initial projections and plan to have the girls' section ready by the first day of school, with contingency planning in place for the boys' section if needed by mid-year.

During the work session, Dr. Bradford presented results from the 2026 Impact Kentucky survey, administered to staff between November 10 and December 19, 2025. The district achieved an 84.5 percent response rate from certified staff, up from 80.8 percent in 2024. The survey showed improvements across most categories, with staff reporting 79 percent favorability on "educating all students," a 5 percent increase from 2024. Teachers using assessment data to drive instruction reached 88-91 percent favorability. However, "feedback and coaching" emerged as a priority improvement area at 58 percent favorable.

During the public comment period, a speaker raised concerns about the district's budget trajectory, noting that spending through month seven of the fiscal year was tracking 7 percent above the prior year, which if continued could result in a roughly $27.8 million overspend. The speaker urged the superintendent and district leadership to present a plan for restoring the contingency fund to required levels, citing district policy requiring restoration within one year of any decline below 6 percent.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announced that Kina Cox will be named interim chief financial officer, bringing extensive school finance experience and prior familiarity with the district. The position will be posted for a permanent hire.

The board also engaged in a formative evaluation of Liggins' performance, which the superintendent said included reviewing findings from external audit reports and remains part of regular accountability processes.