LEXINGTON, Ky. — Suspended Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins is filing a whistleblower-reprisal complaint following the school board's rejection of his request to be reinstated to his position, according to WUKY 91.3 FM.

The filing marks an escalation in tensions between Liggins and the FCPS board, widening the division that has characterized their relationship since his suspension. The complaint alleges retaliation for whistleblower activity, though specific details about what Liggins reported were not immediately available.

Liggins' reinstatement request came before the school board, which ultimately voted to reject it. The decision appears to have prompted the superintendent to pursue the complaint through official channels, signaling his determination to challenge the board's action.

The conflict between Liggins and the FCPS board represents one of the most significant personnel disputes in the district's recent history. The suspension and subsequent rejection of reinstatement have raised questions about governance, administrative accountability, and the relationship between the superintendent and the elected board members who oversee district operations.

Whistleblower complaints in Kentucky's public education system are governed by state labor laws that protect employees from retaliation for reporting concerns about law, regulation, or policy violations. The filing of such a complaint suggests Liggins believes he has protected speech or activity that was the subject of adverse employment action.

The FCPS board has not yet publicly responded to the whistleblower complaint. The case may proceed through administrative or legal channels, potentially involving the Kentucky Department of Education or the court system depending on the nature of the allegations and the remedies sought.