Fayette County School Board Chair Tyler Murphy sued the state Wednesday over a new law that would reshape the district's governance and eliminate his seat, prompting a sharp rebuke from a state legislator who has long criticized the school system's leadership.

Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, said in a statement that the lawsuit amounts to "an attempt to distract from the disaster that Fayette County Public Schools is under Tyler Murphy's leadership as board chair." Lockett said the district "has spiraled into a financial crisis so severe that it is now seeking to borrow up to $110 million simply to keep the lights on and make it through the school year."

Murphy and the Kentucky Education Association filed the lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 4, which lawmakers passed over Gov. Andy Beshear's veto earlier this year. The suit argues the law is unconstitutional "special legislation" aimed at Lexington and Louisville that unfairly strips educators and voters in those communities of their choice of school board representatives. Under the law, the seven-member board would be reduced to five district-based seats, and all current board members' terms would end Dec. 31, 2026.

Lockett said in his statement that rather than taking responsibility for the district's financial failures, Murphy "has chosen to file a lawsuit challenging a law that was duly passed by the General Assembly and enacted through the constitutional process." He added: "The only filing Fayette County taxpayers should be expecting from Mr. Murphy is his resignation."

Lockett's latest criticism comes months after he filed a petition in January seeking to remove Murphy from office, alleging Murphy breached public trust and engaged in inappropriate acts that constitute a misdemeanor under the Kentucky Constitution.

The school district's financial crisis has dominated local politics for months. Last month, the board approved a $95 million loan, with Interim Chief Financial Officer Kyna Koch warning the district needed to borrow that amount or risk not meeting payroll by the end of July. The district also announced the elimination of 120 jobs effective for the 2026-2027 school year.

An independent investigation commissioned by Fayette County Public Schools found that three district administrators failed to meet professional expectations in their financial oversight roles, contributing to the unauthorized depletion of the district's contingency fund during fiscal years 2024 and 2025.

Murphy has said the petition for removal and recent criticism constitute politically motivated attacks. In response to Lockett's removal petition, Murphy said that "no board chair acts in isolation" and that every decision made by the board adheres to state laws and board policies.