# FCPS Superintendent Takes 10% Pay Cut Amid Financial Crisis  
**Published:** 2026-05-12T18:49:20.000Z  
**Source:** [KY Center for Economic Policy](https://kypolicy.org/fcps-superintendent-says-he-will-take-pay-cut-amid-district-finance-problems/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/fcps-superintendent-takes-10-pay-cut-amid-financial-crisis

LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Superintendent Demetrus Liggins announced he will take a 10% pay cut to his base salary](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/05/01/fcps-superintendent-announces-he-will-take-pay-cut-amid-district-layoffs-reductions/) as [Fayette County Public Schools grapples with severe financial problems](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues) stemming from long-standing accounting errors.

[The district's records have been "fundamentally misstated" for nearly two decades, with inaccuracies dating to 2008](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues). [Newly elected District Financial Officer Kyna Koch revealed problems including issues with internal controls, procurement and contracts, receivables and payables, record keeping, missed deadlines, and miscoded allocations](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues).

In addition to the salary reduction, Liggins announced a five-day reduction in his contract. "I share that not because it lessens the hardship faced by those experiencing far greater employment impacts, nor to compare sacrifices, but because I believe leaders should never ask others to bear burdens they are unwilling to shoulder themselves," he said in a statement to staff.

The district is implementing [fixes affecting staff pay and employment](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues) to address the crisis. [The district plans to generate $1.9 million in savings through layoffs and hours reductions](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues) across district-level departments. While difficult decisions have impacted administrative staff, [no classroom teacher or paraeducator positions have been reduced](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues).

[Interim Chief Financial Officer Kyna Koch recommended the district obtain a short-term loan to pay its expenses](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues). Liggins, who has led FCPS since July 2021, said the district is implementing investigative measures and reviews to prevent similar issues.

[Two external investigations are underway, including a comprehensive review by accounting firm Weaver and Tidwell and a special examination by the state Auditor of Public Accounts](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues).

## Sources

- [KY Center for Economic Policy](https://kypolicy.org/fcps-superintendent-says-he-will-take-pay-cut-amid-district-finance-problems/)
- [WKYT - FCPS superintendent announces he will take pay cut amid district layoffs, reductions](https://www.wkyt.com/2026/05/01/fcps-superintendent-announces-he-will-take-pay-cut-amid-district-layoffs-reductions/)
- [Lex 18 - Fayette County Schools plans $1.9 million in staff pay cuts amid financial issues](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/fayette-county-schools-plans-1-9-million-in-staff-pay-cuts-amid-financial-issues)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from KY Center for Economic Policy, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://kypolicy.org/fcps-superintendent-says-he-will-take-pay-cut-amid-district-finance-problems/.