LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools is launching its search for a new superintendent this week, beginning with nominations for a state-mandated screening committee that will guide the hiring process.

The Fayette County Board of Education unanimously declared a superintendent vacancy on Aug. 17, following the retirement of Demetrus Liggins. The district is now soliciting nominations for the Superintendent Screening Committee, with applications opening at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, and closing at noon Wednesday, Sept. 2, according to an announcement from FCPS.

Kentucky law requires the screening committee be established within 30 days of a vacancy declaration. The committee must include two teachers or certified employees, one classified employee, one principal, one parent or guardian, and one school board member. All parents with children enrolled in FCPS and district employees are eligible to nominate themselves or others for committee positions.

Voting for committee members will take place between 8 a.m. Sept. 3 and 11:59 p.m. Sept. 9. "The participation and engagement of everyone in our community will play an important role in shaping our district's next steps," said Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy.

The district also plans to conduct community-wide surveys and public listening sessions to gather feedback on desired qualifications for the next superintendent. District officials emphasized the search is well-timed, beginning early in the school year. "We do feel good about the timeline because it is pretty early in the school year," said District Chief of Staff Tracy Bruno. "Our last Superintendent search started in January and so that really put us under some time constraints but this year we think we can take our time and have a really good process in place."

Bill Bradford, who has 23 years of education experience, was appointed interim superintendent on Aug. 17. Additional information about the search process will be available at FCPS.net/search.