LEXINGTON, Ky. — Fayette County Public Schools has named the six-member committee that will help screen candidates in the district's search for its next superintendent. The formation of the screening committee represents the first formal step in the selection process mandated by Kentucky law, which requires the committee to be established within 30 days of a superintendent vacancy.

The committee includes Sarah Fightmaster Bayerle, a kindergarten teacher at Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary, and Whitney Walker, a social studies teacher at Lafayette High School, who were elected as certified employee representatives. Adrielle Camuel, an administrative assistant in the Department of Student Belonging & Success, was selected as the classified employee representative. Julie Strange, principal of Wellington Elementary, was elected by district principals. Matthew Vied, a parent whose children attend Cassidy Elementary and Morton Middle School, serves as the parent and guardian representative. Penny Christian, a member of the Fayette County Board of Education representing District 3, serves as the school board's representative.

The search follows the Fayette County Board of Education's unanimous declaration of a superintendent vacancy on August 17, coming after former Superintendent Dr. Demetrus Liggins retired. Under state law, the screening committee is responsible for reviewing applicants for the superintendent position. The district said additional opportunities will be provided for students, employees, families and community members to participate in developing a candidate profile and identifying qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent.

The Fayette County Board of Education said it is seeking an open search process with community participation. District officials emphasized that the screening committee is only the first phase of a broader public engagement effort, with the school board planning to launch community-wide surveys and public listening sessions to gather feedback on desired qualifications. Information about the search, including screening committee voting results and future updates, will be posted on the district's superintendent search webpage at FCPS.net/search. The district has not yet announced its final slate of candidates or a selection date.